Eight-year scaffolding battle could soon be over

An eight-year battle to get scaffolding removed from a pavement could soon be over.

The temporary structure has been supporting the remains of a factory in the High Street in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Giles du Boulay, who lives nearby, said the scaffolding was an "accident waiting to happen".

Buckinghamshire Council said the footpath could be reopened as soon as a design for the work was approved.

The scaffolding runs across a narrow pavement alongside one of the town's busiest roads.

It forces pedestrians onto the road in order to access a row of shops and restaurants or walk into the town centre.

Du Boulay said: "The scaffolding went up about eight years ago after the engineering company over there vacated, causing a difficulty with the flank wall, so the scaffolding went up as an emergency measure by the council.

"But it has stayed there for all these years."

Du Boulay has mobility issues and said he was worried about others with disabilities, adding: "I once coming past here saw an old boy [with] extreme curvature of spine being confronted with this and trying to get round, and the look of distress on his face really moved me.

"Much more frequently, mums with buggies are trying to get past either way tipping their buggies into the road and the traffic is whizzing past, so it really is very hazardous."

Iyaz Malik owns a pizza shop a few doors down from the scaffolding and said he wanted it to go, adding: "Our drivers can't park here, plus, for the disabled people and mothers with pushchairs, it's a big problem for them.

"They should get this thing sorted, but it's been a long, long time and nothing's been done."

Du Boulay wrote to Buckinghamshire Council in June proposing a site meeting to find a solution, but, after a brief acknowledgement, he has heard nothing.

He believed it should be possible to modify the structure to create an archway for people to walk under, or create a temporary pedestrian crossing nearby.

Meanwhile, he said, the site was an "accident waiting to happen".

Peter Strachan, Buckinghamshire Council's cabinet member for planning, said:

"Buckinghamshire Council is not the owner of this site. We stepped in and installed the scaffolding on an emergency basis to protect the public.

We have now made progress by entering into an agreement with a third party who is seeking to take ownership of the site.

"Discussions with developers have continued this week and a revised structural engineer's design has now been submitted to support remedial works to the property.

"The design is currently being reviewed and, if approved, work can begin on site to provide the support needed to the remaining structure. This will help move us towards reopening the footpath in front of the property when it is safe to do so."

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