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  "path": "/news/gloucestershire-council-legal-action-eyesore-tarmac",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-11T12:07:52.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Travellers leave locals 'in tears' after setting up illegal 'concrete slab' encampment on grassland",
    "Council row: Donkeys banned from popular British beach ending century-old tradition",
    "Woke backlash erupts against patriotic St George's Cross roundabout",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nA local council could face legal action over what residents have dubbed \"tarmac cowpats\".\n\nCheltenham Civic Society has launched proceedings against Gloucestershire County Council for blighting the town centre's paved areas.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe civic group has served a section 56 notice on the authority, a move which could ultimately result in court action if the council fails to address the unsightly asphalt patches.\n\nLocal people have expressed support for the legal challenge, describing the repairs as an eyesore which tarnishes Cheltenham's image.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe society initially raised concerns about the makeshift tarmac repairs in 2024 but claims it had no choice but to pursue formal legal action.\n\nResident Julie Olding expressed frustration at the visual impact on visitors to the spa town: \"If you're a visitor coming in, it's not the best thing to look at, when you've got this beautiful pavement and then big cow pats.\"\n\nJane McGraham, another local, argued the pavement condition was harming Cheltenham's standing as a destination.\n\nShe told the BBC: \"We have lots of people coming for things like the jazz festival and the races, we want to present Cheltenham in the best light.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nFellow resident David Moore shared similar sentiments, calling the repairs an \"eyesore\".\n\nHe told the BBC: \"There's a fair few in Cheltenham... it's a beautiful town and it's letting it down, it's a shame really.\"\n\nAndrew Booton, who chairs Cheltenham Civic Society, said that the asphalt patches used in place of proper paving slabs were simply \"not acceptable\" for a town of Cheltenham's calibre.\n\nHe said: \"The treatment of these public spaces are having a detrimental impact on the town centre, affecting businesses, residents and visitors.\"\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:\n\n\n\n\n  * Travellers leave locals 'in tears' after setting up illegal 'concrete slab' encampment on grassland\n  * Council row: Donkeys banned from popular British beach ending century-old tradition\n  * Woke backlash erupts against patriotic St George's Cross roundabout\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe society maintains the crude repair work undermines the aesthetic quality of central Cheltenham, where attractive streetscapes are considered vital to the local economy and community pride.\n\nA section 56 notice is a legal mechanism which enables members of the public to compel highway authorities to carry out repairs to roads and footpaths.\n\nShould the council fail to act within the specified timeframe or contest the notice, the matter may proceed to court.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nGloucestershire County Council said maintenance efforts were already in progress prior to the legal action being initiated, including work to replace both tarmac and damaged paving slabs.\n\nJoe Harris, cabinet member for highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said it was \"disappointing to receive a formal legal challenge\".\n\nHe added: \"Planned maintenance work is already underway, including replacing tarmac and damaged slabs. This was scheduled well in advance of the Section 56 notice being received.\"\n\nGB News has approached Gloucestershire council for comment.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**\n**\n\n**\n**\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Council could face legal action over 'eyesore tarmac cowpats'"
}