Cheshire: Fury over street resurfacing as tarmac 'ruins shoes'

Malt Street, a walking route into Knutsford, was given a new layer of tarmac this week.

Businesses and residents claim the tarmac hadn’t set properly and has ‘ruined shoes’.

Barista Mark Lee-Kilgariff, owner of award-winning Tatton Perk, has a coffee shop on the street.

He said: “It’s disgusting. The tarmac is so thin it is already lifting off. It hasn’t set.

Mark Lee-Gilgariff, owner of Tatton Perk, has described the work as 'vandalism' (Image: Tatton Perk)

“It's a crying shame that the street isn't given more respect.

“This is the main route to the beautiful Moor Park.

“To have an obscene lump of tarmac sticking to the bottom of people’s shoes is vandalism as far as I’m concerned.

“Malt Street is home to Tripadvisor number one and two in Knutsford, The Real Fruit Creamery and us, Tatton Perk.

“We are both often graced with queues of locals and lots of tourists.

“This is a disgracefully wasted opportunity.”

Jonty Page, a fruit and vegetable stall owner from Knutsford Market Hall, said: “It’s an absolute disgrace, sheer vandalism.

“All true Knutsfordians should be so upset. Let’s stand up and fight for our town.”

Alison Cunliffe, owner of The Real Fruit Creamery, home to hand-crafted fresh gelato, said: “I think it would be lovely to have all the cobbles back and restore the history of this street.

“I realise that would be costly but it would be far prettier.

“I am very proud of my business and love what I do.”

Residents took to social media to vent their anger.

One person described the work as ‘cheap as chips’.

Another woman said she was ‘appalled’ by what they had done to this walkway.

“I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” she posted.

It is understood that the street had been cordoned off whilst the work was carried out.

The Guardian has asked Cheshire East Council for a comment.