More and more concrete slabs in Old Market Square in the city centre are starting to appear cracked, and Nottingham City Council has shared an update on what's being done to fix them. A number of cracks can be seen in them through the vast open space, with around 5 or 6 of them marked with a red 'x' near the right lion.
Nottingham City Council has said fixing these slabs is part of routine, planned-in maintenance. Former Nottingham Post business editor Richard Tresidder previously argued Old Market Square is being damaged by excessive use, caused by large scale events in the square.
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In that piece, he writes that he thinks the damage is caused by vehicles heavier than the stress levels slabs are able to cope with. He said the square was showing signs of severe wear and tear in October 2019, and that the local authority had admitted as much.
In October 2019, a spokesperson for the City Council said: "We are currently carrying out work to improve and strengthen the terrace on the south side of the Old Market Square. Since the Square was redeveloped 12 years ago, it has staged bigger and better events that are popular with local people and visitors.
"These events increasingly make use of the terrace to support heavy equipment and structures which has led us to carry out this work so the square is fit for purpose for future needs and events."