A DECISION by Somerset County Council to replace historical cobbles with paving slabs in Dunster has been called “an act of vandalism” by Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger.

Machine-cut slabs of local Blue Lias stone was chosen by SCC to pave West Street, Dunster, in an attempt to make it safer for pedestrians and to create wheelchair access.

However, the move has come under fire from residents and parish councillors.

At a Parish council meeting on Monday, one woman said that she was “utterly depressed” by the blue-grey slabs and that “West Street is a poor relation to the High Street,” with another member of the public comparing the stone to concrete.

The stone differs from the Brecon Grey stone imported from China that was used to replace cobbles in the High Street in 2011 and residents and council members were under the impression West Street would be the same.

At the meeting, Karin Harwood from SCC Highways pointed that another option was to “keep the cobbles and remove parking in Dunster all together”.

The parish council approved the use of the Blue Lias stone at a meeting in December 2014.

Since the meeting, Cllr Graham Lamacraft has put the problem down to “a complete lack of communication” from SCC about the type of material being used.

He said: “If we had been advised about the type of material which was going to be used we would not have agreed for it to go ahead.

“The parish council are now in limbo until SCC decide if it is going to do anything.”

Mr Liddell has dubbed the situation an “absolute disaster”.

He said: “This is the most beautiful Medieval village and we are about to ruin it.

“It is an absolute disaster and I have asked Somerset County Council to stop the works because if they make any changes it’s going a cost a fortune.”

SCC has invested £400,000 into the improvements scheme and said that delaying prolong the time until the work is finished.

Arthur Ell, who has lived in West Street for the past 70 years, said: “The colour of the slabs aren’t at all what you see in Dunster. “Look around you, it’s all reds and browns, not grey. They’re too urban.”

Dunster resident Chris Jelley who was also at the meeting said: “The feelings of the villagers were noted and then pushed aside. I see the cobbles being taken away, no matter what, as heart wrenching.”

Since the meeting, Cllr Harvey Siggs, SCC cabinet member for highways, said: “The scheme to replace some of the cobbles in West Street is in response to local concerns over safety and accessibility.

"We have listened to all the recent comments, and accept that it will not be to everyone’s liking, but considering that only four years ago the High Street was similarly condemned as vandalism, we ask for patience.

"Our officers are already looking at the possibility of hand-cut kerbing and there are processes available to speed up the ageing."