A footpath in Trowbridge is having to be resurfaced after melting during the current baking hot heatwave.

With temperatures topping 27 degrees Centigrade, the new slurry tarmac pavement finish on the footpath in Albert Road has melted.

The work to resurface the footpaths in Albert Road, Osborne Road and Middle Lane has cost more than £10,000.

But the new liquid finish laid by contractors from Ilkley in Yorkshire has sparked complaints from local residents.

Trowbridge ward councillor Edward Kirk has complained to Wiltshire Council highways.

He said: “It has cost over £10,000 but they would have been better off doing it properly.

“It’s not going to last that long and it is going to be a waste of money. It didn’t really set that well from Day 1 but in the heat it has just got softer.”

He added: “Apparently, weed killing, siding out and patching didn’t take place prior to the surface being laid.

“In Albert Road and Middle Lane the weeds had already compromised the surface. Osborne Road is better but the footpath there was in better condition to begin with.

“As this is a new slurry surface and is a fluid dressing it is probably more susceptible to the heat than traditional tarmac.

“We just need to be more careful which areas we use it in an ensure that the contractors ‘follow instructions’.

“I think Wiltshire Council accept that perhaps we shouldn’t have used this on these pavements without more patching.

“They should have monitored the contractors more to ensure weed treatment and masking off was done correctly.”

Cllr Kirk said he has visited Dutts, in Dilton Marsh, where a liquid surfacing finish was also used to better effect.

Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member Cllr Dr Mark McClleland said: “The material used is a “veneer” surfacing.

“This process offers a cost-effective method by which footways that are showing early signs of wear but are structurally sound can have their working life prolonged, by up to eight years. In simple terms, it seals the existing surfacing, preventing the ingress of water and further oxidation.

“While this approach is very successful, one of the drawbacks can be the fact that weeds can propagate through the surface. We do look to combat this by an application of herbicide prior to surfacing, but it does appear on this occasion that this was unsuccessful.

“The Highways Team are in discussions with the contractor to address this matter.”