Parent's concern as Coldharbour Lane left 'unfinished'

Darren Langford, 38, lives adjacent to Coldharbour Lane, frequently using his back gate to access the road with his children using bikes, pushchairs and by foot.

Works to improve Coldharbour Lane concluded at the beginning of August, involving widening the track, defining parking spaces and adding new drainage.

A smooth kerb and bollards have been positioned on the edge of the road until it reaches houses, where Darren says a ‘health and safety issue’ has been created as it has been left 'unfinished'.

He said: “I just don’t really understand - is that going to be finished? They just didn’t bother to go any further. 

“From the beginning of the lane it looks lovely, but if you go further down you realise that actually this is not finished.”

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Immediately after leaving his garden through a gate is the uneven and sharp edge of the road, which has caused his young son to trip over twice. 

The drop from the kerb where it has been 'unfinished' has caused Darren's son to trip over (Image: Darren Langford)

The Environmental Agency has said that it is a Salisbury City Council issue. The council has told Darren that they would make an ‘interim fix’ but have not yet provided a date for a full repair of the road edge, which Darren says is 'just putting a plaster on a brick'.

It has also said, in a letter seen by the Journal, 'due to current budget limitations' the council is 'unable to implement additional comprehensive repairs beyond the original scope of this project at this time'.

Darren said: “If somebody got hit by a car on the road, they would probably fund compensation - why not fix it before someone has an accident?”

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One of his neighbours has also complained and the road was fixed near their gate. However, Darren and several other houses continue to have the same issue despite complaining to the same authorities.

The new kerb stops just before the houses (Image: Darren Langford) Darren said: “It’s just not acceptable for them to go ‘we don’t have the money’. You know there is an issue and found the money to rectify it next door. I just don’t accept that.”

Councillor for St Paul's Ward Victoria Charleston said: "The new road surface at Coldharbour Lane is a welcome improvement and an extra to the River Park Project.

"I am aware of the issue Mr Langford has raised and am working to see what can be done. I will be visiting with officers on Monday."

Salisbury City Council has been contacted for comment.