Hereford Civic Society

Improvements to this street were planned in 2009 and the details were displayed for public comment at an exhibition in a public bar in Widemarsh Street later that year.

Work started early in 2010 and was completed shortly before Christmas of that year.

Before the work was half completed, it became clear that the shallow sinuous kerbs, built in places to follow the pattern of the design were a hazard to the public.

In July 2010, following several incidents of falls and tripping resulting in injury to several members of the public, Hereford Civic Society wrote to Herefordshire Council expressing the view that the kerbs already built should be removed and the remainder of the work completed all on one level as in Hightown and Eigngate, without these shallow kerbs. .

In their official reply, the Council stated that the design of the street works was not responsible for the tripping incidents and that it was not necessary to modify it. In one Council letter “looking in shop windows” was quoted as one possible cause of the falls. The Council’s various comments in reply to the Civic Society’s letters may be seen on this web site under - Issues/ Widemarsh Street .

The public has now had a full year in which to become accustomed to the changes in Widemarsh Street, but the kerbs continue to be a hazard and to cause tripping and falls.

The Widemarsh Street alterations fit neither the definition of ’Shared Space’ nor of full pedestrianisation. It has not been possible to ascertain whether the inclusion of these kerbs was part of the initial design proposed by the outside experts retained by the Council for the purpose.

Hereford Civic Society has complimented the Council on the pattern and colour scheme of the improvements, both of which are excellent, but has repeatedly drawn attention to the unwise inclusion of kerbs in the design, as this constitutes the deliberate construction of a hazard in a public place.