RESIDENTS have voiced their anger after flags were replaced with a tarmac surface on a key road in Barrow.

Last month Cumbria County Council's highways department began work to resurface a large stretch of pavement in Harrel Lane from the roundabout with Rating Lane.

Highways engineers have introduced temporary restrictions preventing parking on the road while the work is carried out.

One resident, whose late parents lived in Harrel Lane, said his late parents, who lived in Harrel Lane, had paid a fee to have the kerb dropped to allow them to access their drive.

He decried the new surface as a 'total loss of character' and questioned what would happen to the flagstones.

"Anybody including my late parents who lived on Harrel Lane and paid a lot of money to have their pavements dropped to access a new driveway should now claim a refund now the council are taking up the flagstones and putting tarmac down," he said.

"Total loss of character to the street and where are all those flagstones going?"

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council, which is responsible for the maintenance of roads and pavements, said the surface of the pavements was being replaced with tarmac following a number of reports of pedestrians tripping on the uneven flagstones.

"The work was approved by Barrow local committee and follows complaints about trip hazards," the spokesman said.

"Whenever flags are replaced, they are replaced with tarmac to avoid a trip hazard.

"The only exception to this is if the flags are lifted from a ‘heritage’ area.

"We had complaints about people tripping up so we’ve laid a surface that is much less likely to trip up on."

The spokesman added that trip hazards on pavements are a key concern at all times.

Trip hazards and other defects on pavements are identified through inspections and other means including reports from the public.

Any concerns about uneven pavements or potholes can be reported to the council by calling 0300 303 2992 or using an online form on the website www.cumbria.gov.uk