A bid to find a solution to repair a Barrow street will begin next week – and people are urged not to be alarmed.
Plans to fell 19 trees on Infield Park caused huge controversy in the town – with a petition set up to stop the work going ahead.
Westmorland & Furness Council said it was necessary to get rid of the trees for public safety over concerns regarding the state of uneven pavements.
Due to the outcry, the authority paused its plans and said the earliest it would be considered would be January.
Today, it issued a statement to say investigation work will take place from Wednesday November 27 to Friday November 29.
Workers will excavate the pavements to measure exact depth of tree roots below the surface. It said it should help inform future engineering decisions. The footway surface will then be reinstated back to how it was.
The investigation work next week will not impact any of the trees and no trees will be removed during the work, it said.
The findings from the investigations next week will inform a consultation, planned to launch in January, where residents will be able to provide feedback on options that aim to provide a long-lasting solution to the footway issues.
The council said it was keen to explore options that balanced impact on the street with ensuring a safe and accessible highways for all, in line with the authority’s statutory duty under the Highways Act 1980.
As well as investigating the impact of the tree roots on the pavement, the council is also working with the Barrow and District Disabled Association to audit the footway in its current condition and to assess the impact of any proposed options on people with impaired or restricted mobility.
A road and pavement closure will be in place from Wednesday to Friday between house numbers two and 10 on Infield Park Road while the investigation work is carried out.
Access for both residents and emergency service vehicles will be maintained throughout with no disruptions to waste and recycling collections.
Councillor Peter Thornton, cabinet member for highways and ICT at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “Ensuring the safety of our network for the local residents of Infield Park is our priority. These investigations are a crucial step in determining whether resurfacing parts of the footway, without the need for any tree removal, is a viable and sustainable solution based on the depth of the roots causing the damage.
“The findings will contribute to a consultation we plan to launch in January 2025. During this process, we will seek residents’ views on all feasible options before making any decisions.
“We are committed to finding the right balance between ensuring public safety and protecting the character of the streetscape; both of which are important to the local community.”
A letter informing residents of the works will be delivered to impacted properties today (Thursday 21 November).
