New rumpus erupts over Red Lion Square in Stamford

A town group is fighting plans to tarmac over Red Lion Square.

The future of the current Yorkstone cobbles hangs in the balance because the majority of Stamford town councillors want to replace them with a surface that they feel would be more hard wearing.

Now the Urban Group of Stamford Civic Society has spoken out about this decision, saying it ignores ‘key facts’ about the current surface.

Andy Moore, chairman of the Urban Group, said that some stones had come loose because they were not being properly maintained - the sand between them should have been topped up by highways.

Mr Moore, a former managing director of a civil engineer and groundworks firm, said: “Removing and getting rid of the Yorkstone setts would be a waste of materials and money.

“They were laid to create a safe area that is a shared space for pedestrians and traffic.

“The Civic Society is all about saving the heritage of Stamford, and putting down tarmac goes against all the principles we exist for. My fear is that they will do it.”

At a meeting of Stamford Town Council on Tuesday, Coun David Taylor (Con), who opposes the town council’s decision to resurface described the issue as ‘Stamford’s very own Brexit’.

He said:"This is England’s oldest conservation town and its centre is Red Lion Square. I would like any decision made on the surfacing to be evidence-based.”

Red Lion Square was resurfaced 13 years ago as part of the controversial £1.5m Gateway Project.

When the town council voted last year, 16 members voted in favour of tarmac, one councillor abstained and one voted for relaying the existing Yorkstone.

A survey of 425 people by Coun Taylor found 60 per cent supported relaying the stones.