It was meant to spruce up a run-down town centre and create a public space for North Walsham to be proud of.

But the £2.6m makeover of the marketplace seems to have caught many locals off-balance.

Several have reported falling over in the area since the work was completed and blame new 'slippery' sloping features and uneven curbs for their stumbles.

A number of them have raised their concerns with local MP, Duncan Baker, who has called for an investigation.

He said he was "increasingly worried" about the "significant" number of people emailing and telephoning him to report falling over in the town centre.

“Since the completion of the works, I have heard of a number of serious accidents," he said.

“One lady tripped on a kerb, fell face first onto the pavement and badly hurt herself.

“I was told that outside C Page, the tobacconist, last week four people slipped over in the same place in just three hours.” 

Eastern Daily Press: The Market Place in North WalshamThe Market Place in North Walsham (Image: Sonya Duncan)

He called for North Norfolk District Council (NNDC), which carried out the work, to investigate before "anyone else seriously hurts themselves".

He also suggested temporary signage could help people get used to the new layout. 

READ MORE: 'We should be proud' - North Walsham residents welcome new-look town centre

The scheme was intended to improve the centre, by creating more space for pedestrians and making it easier for people with limited or restricted mobility to get around.

The council insists the makeover has been a success and says it has received no complaints.

It is not the first time NNDC has come under fire for the North Walsham works, with some criticising the ‘wonky benches’ which follow the slope of the path.

Eastern Daily Press: Duncan Baker outside C D PageDuncan Baker outside C D Page (Image: Supplied)

An NNDC spokeswoman said: “The council has received no formal complaints over people falling over or slipping in the Market Place, however, we have received a small number of comments after Duncan Baker’s letter was published online.”

She added users will need time to get used to the changes but said town, district and county council all believe it delivers a more attractive space at the heart of the town.

The council will look into the claims with partners and try to resolve any issues. 

Eastern Daily Press: A bench in North Walsham town centreA bench in North Walsham town centre (Image: Newsquest)

 

What's wrong with 'wonky Walsham'

Duncan Baker outlined a series of issues reported to him. These include:

  • Paving colours which blend into one, causing difficulties for the visually impaired 
  • Kerb heights varying along the street
  • Some kerbs being raised on one side of the road and flat on the other, catching people out
  • Smooth paving slabs are slippery when wet