Southampton City Council slammed over condition of pavements

Nathan Acheson, who is studying civil engineering, said chiefs are spending "such a big chunk" on the roads.

But he is unimpressed with footpaths in the area, including recent repair work to Glen Eyre Road.

Glen Eyre Road after the repairs. All photos by Nathan Acheson

Nathan says reported the footpath outside the student halls to the council back in October.

"I went outside yesterday (January 31) and the repair van was there, with all the council markings on," he told the Echo.

"It was only there an hour or so. The path is smoother but it is still quite bumpy, and I'd say the council could do a better job.

"The path has been bad for as long as I can remember, and I've been living here for three years – it's always been an issue."

The University of Southampton student posted photos of the pavement to Twitter a few months prior to the repair.

Deputy leader of the council, Cllr Jeremy Moulton, responded with an apology.

Glen Eyre Road before the repairs. All photos by Nathan Acheson

Nathan added: "The issue is widespread across the city. Walking along The Avenue, near the new toucan crossing, you are forced to walk on gravel and dirt.

"The pavement in Bassett Crescent is also quite poor."

It comes just three months after civic chiefs agreed to repair potholes, pavements and street lights in Lordswood Close, Bassett.

The move proved to be controversial as the road is unadopted – which means it is not owned and managed by Southampton City Council

"That seems like a terrible waste of money," Nathan said. "Why is the council dedicating such a big chunk of its budget to roads and not other road infrastructure?"

A spokesperson for the council said: "These works were for the reactive repair of a defect and meet the expected standards for a repair of this nature.

"We remain committed to improving the safety and condition of both our roads and pavements alike and, in July last year, we announced an additional £10m to be spent on this up to March 2023. We have made excellent early progress with the delivery of this programme, with work having already taken place at a wide number of sites across the city.

The Avenue, gravel and dirt pathway. All photos by Nathan Acheson

"The gravel path between Winn Road and Westwood Road (near the new toucan crossing on The Avenue) sits on Common land and, as such, we are currently awaiting planning and section 38 approval to tarmac this section.

"We are continuing to closely monitor the gravel surface, which is newly laid and therefore subject to an initial settlement period."

The council will also arrange for the team to inspect the condition of the pavements in Bassett Crescent.