Elderly hurt at town square weeks after £1m revamp

Council bosses have promised changes at a brand new square after claims multiple elderly and disabled people have sustained injuries while shopping.

St Editha's Square in Tamworth was officially opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 21 June, after a £1.3m investment by the borough council.

The BBC has been told several visitors have fallen due to "ski-slope" walkways and "trip hazard" flower beds in the less than two months since.

Tamworth Borough Council said the square met all required safety standards, but it would remove the flower beds to "create a flat, more open space".

Sue Vaughan, owner of the Market Cafe, claimed she knew of at least six people who had been injured.

The 67-year-old is also unhappy about the placement of an electricity box outside her shop, which she said made accessibility difficult.

The BBC has spoken to one of Ms Vaughan's customers who was taken to hospital after his scooter "tipped over" on uneven ground near the cafe.

In a video captured shortly after the incident, he can be seen with head, knee and ankle injuries.

The man, who has several disabilities, asked not to be named, but said he thought more should be done to protect vulnerable visitors.

"I felt awful," Ms Vaughan said. "He comes in regularly. For a customer of mine to be injured makes me feel disgusted."

Sarah Gayton, a prominent blind campaigner who also trades in the square, questioned how the development was signed off.

"The level difference between the shops and the walkway by Sue's cafe is like a ski slope," she said.

"There is absolutely no colour contrast of the flower beds which make them an instant trip hazard."

Tamworth Borough Council is in the process of delivering what it calls an "ambitious regeneration plan", with £21m being invested to "transform" the town centre.

Leader of the council Carol Dean expressed her "sincere concern" for the injured gentleman, adding: "The wellbeing and safety of our residents, especially those who are elderly or living with disabilities, is our absolute priority."

Ms Dean said the square met safety standards and was designed as an accessible space, but the flower beds would be removed after feedback from traders.

"We can see the design is causing practical issues for some town centre visitors," she added.

"After weighing up all the evidence, we have made the decision to remove the planters to create a flat, more open space."

It's not the first time St Editha's has sparked controversy.

In February, TikTok sensation Spudman won a battle to stay at the square after plans to replace it with a flowerbed were scrapped.

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