ABINGDON shopkeepers have called for a new £450,000 pavement to be ripped up and relaid following complaints that people have been injured tripping on its uneven surface.

The new paving slabs were installed in the town’s High Street in January by Oxfordshire County Council in an attempt to smarten up the area.

But Abingdon Town Council says it has received several complaints from people who have fallen because of the uneven surface. And paramedics have treated three people after falls in the street in the last three weeks.

Stephanie Rutland, 56, a perfume seller at Smiths Chemist, said: “I’ve seen someone trip and there have been two others who fell outside our shop.

“One split open their head and the other cut their arm.”

Smiths manager Karen Grieve, pictured with pharmacist Chris Wilcox, said: “I’ll be filing for compensation for all the disturbance caused and so will other businesses here.”

County council contractors have repaired some slabs, but County Hall – which blames delivery drivers mounting the kerb for the problems – has refused to repave the entire street.Town council leader Lesley Legge said: “The only thing for the council to do is relay the whole pavement, at no cost to the taxpayer.”

Pictures: Antony Moore