A COBBLED bridge on a popular town walk in Minehead is to be resurfaced with tarmac as part of a larger programme of path repairs which includes Blenheim Gardens.

Town councillors decided improving accessibility and safety on the bridge in Parks Walk was more important than the impact on the character of the area resulting from the loss of the cobbles.

A second bridge further along the route had been tarmacked some years ago.

Deputy town clerk Jo Chapman told councillors of difficulties experienced by people with mobility and accessibility issues when crossing the cobbled bridge.

Footpaths in Minehead's Blenheim Gardens are to be repaired.
Footpaths in Minehead's Blenheim Gardens are to be repaired. (Tindle News)

Ms Chapman said the state of the bridge was deteriorating and it was currently pothole-ridden, with some embedded pebbles missing, and presented a safety hazard.

She said a tarmac surface would reduce the risk of slips, while not significantly altering the height of the bridge.

Ms Chapman said other footpaths in Parks Walk, Blenheim Gardens, and Minehead Cemetery also needed repairs, as well as a parking area outside the cemetery which was deteriorating due to age, weed growth, cracking, and pothole formation.

She said: “Inspections of these open spaces have identified that many pedestrian paths are in poor to very poor condition, with numerous potholes, uneven surfaces, and areas of significant deterioration.

“These defects present both a safety risk to the public and a growing maintenance liability for the council.”

Immediate repairs were needed for the most severely affected areas using a contractor with a proven track record in carrying out this type of work.

Ms Chapman said Blenheim Gardens and The Parks were among a number of open spaces transferred to the town council by Somerset Council which were currently in a ‘very poor and deteriorating condition’.

She said: “Based on current conditions, it is estimated that a programme of five to 15 years will be required to bring all paths within the council's open spaces up to a consistent standard.”

Councillors agreed to do the work on cracked paths in Parks Walk and Blenheim Gardens but to postpone a decision on the cemetery until more was known about ownership of the area.

A decision on repairing a parking area and paths in Minehead cemetery has been deferred.
A decision on repairing a parking area and paths in Minehead cemetery has been deferred. (Google Maps)

Ms Chapman said the other path sections would require future attention as part of a phased improvement programme over the next 10 years, with a budget set at about £25,000 a year for The Parks and £20,000 annually for Blenheim Gardens.

She said a phased approach would keep costs affordable for both the authority and council taxpayers by spreading expenditure over a number of financial years while protecting assets through planned investment rather than reactive repairs.

Doing nothing would increase the likelihood of accidents and injuries, with potential legal claims against the council, see ongoing deterioration of the assets, and risk reputational damage for the town authority.

Ms Chapman said the council had both ‘a legal and moral responsibility’ to provide safe and properly maintained public spaces.

She said: “Taking proactive action to remedy identified hazards demonstrates that the council is fulfilling its duty of care and managing its assets responsibly.”