NEW paving on Queen Victoria Road in High Wycombe has been turned into an “eyesore” just months after it was installed - because of roadworks.

The special coloured paving was installed as part of the High Wycombe Masterplan (HWMP) but Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) recently had to carry out urgent work to repair a low-voltage mains fault.

They filled in the pavement with tarmac - which member of the public Martin Isles says looks an “eyesore” after the council "spent thousands of ratepayers' money" on it.

He said: “They have completely ruined the aesthetic appeal of the new footpaths. This is totally unacceptable."

This is how the junction looked just after its completion earlier this year 

Dave Roberts, Network Strategy Manager at Bucks County Council said the situation would be monitored to make sure the "appropriate" surfacing is put back "in due course".

He said: Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) have recently completed immediate urgent utility works to repair a low voltage mains fault on Queen Victoria Road. As a utility company providing electrical supplies for residents and businesses, SSEN have a duty to ensure these supplies are repaired as quickly as possible when a fault is identified. As the local highway authority, Transport for Buckinghamshire (TfB) co-ordinates the road space required to enable these works to take place, in addition to monitoring the reinstatements to ensure they meet the expected standard.

"These works are within the area of the town centre, which has been resurfaced as part of the HWMP project, using special surfacing materials. Whilst ideally all reinstatements would be completed to a permanent specification during the first phase of works, due to material availability or contractors to reinstate areas with specialist surfaces, temporary reinstatements are permitted to be in place for up to six months as per legislation.

"This will be monitored by our Streetworks Team to ensure the appropriate surfacing is used in due course."