A host of pensioners have been left injured due to "crazy paving" and "ski-slope" walkways at a newly refurbished £1.3 million public square in Tamworth, Staffordshire. St Editha's Square, which was reopened on 21 June as part of a multi-million pound regeneration project, has already seen at least seven elderly and disabled people suffer injuries from trips and falls.

One man reportedly fell off his mobility scooter due to the slopes, while another was hospitalised with a severe head injury. The issues are being attributed to the "ski-slope" ramps, "trip hazard" flower beds, and the "disorientating" pink and white design of the new paving.

Sue Vaughan, 67, owner of the Market Cafe, expressed her disgust at the situation, stating: "People on scooters have been toppling over coming down the slopes and at least seven have been injured that I know of."

She added: "One elderly man came off his mobility scooter and another had to be taken to hospital with a head injury."

Vaughan also highlighted the danger posed by the nearby planters with sharp edges, particularly for those using walkers or zimmer frames.

"On top of that the paving stones themselves are already crumbling away, which will make the issue even worse.

"They are perishing and falling away - they've not even been there five minutes and it has cost the council millions.

"Plus they don't even look good. The trees are all dead in the planters and the benches don't have any backs to them.

"It's a real shame as they haven't improved the area at all in my opinion. It is a complete waste of money."

Ben Newman, 40, known as Spudman on TikTok, said: "This was all done without any real consultation and it is clearly not fit for purpose.

"The surface needs to be hard-wearing and designed to benefit the people who you use it, and that just hasn't happened.

"The paving is terrible quality and literally falls away in people's hands. We're losing traders over it - we're down from seven market traders to just three.

"We've had nine months of disruption, ended up with this and I have no idea how it has cost £1.3 million.

"It's just pure incompetence on the council's part. They now want to fence off the area again for another 12 weeks to remove the planters.

"It's just obscene."

Stef Brown, 31, a shopper and mother from Tamworth, commented: "The crazy paving is a bit of an eyesore and quite disorientating, so no wonder people are falling.

"We've got the Snowdome down the road, so we don't need more ski slopes in the town centre. They've spent millions making the place a death trap.

"It's just a huge waste of money."

Sarah Gayton, a blind campaigner who also trades in the square, questioned how the development was signed off in the first place.

She added: "The level difference between the shops and the walkway by Sue's cafe is like a ski slope.

"There is absolutely no colour contrast of the flower beds which make them an instant trip hazard."

Tamworth Borough Council insists the square satisfied all mandatory safety requirements, but acknowledged it would dismantle the flower beds to "create a flat, more open space".

The local authority revealed it's currently implementing a £21 million "ambitious regeneration plan" designed to "transform" the town centre.

Council leader Carol Dean said: "First and foremost, I want to express my sincere concern for the gentleman injured in St Editha's Square.

"The wellbeing and safety of our residents, especially those who are elderly or living with disabilities, is our absolute priority.

"St Editha's Square meets all required safety standards and was designed to create a step-free, accessible space for our community.

"However, the feedback we've received from local people and traders has been invaluable and we take these concerns very seriously.

"The planters were designed to enhance the space but following careful consideration of the feedback from customers and traders, alongside our own detailed assessments and observations, we can see that the design is causing practical issues for some town centre visitors.

"After weighing up all the evidence, we have made the decision to remove the planters to create a flat, more open space.

"The square was designed to be step-free and provide open access for all users, which is a positive achievement.

"There is a natural gradient due to the different ground levels within the space, but our priority has been to create an environment without steps.

"We will continue to work closely with local residents and traders to make sure St Editha's Square remains a safe and welcoming space for all."