A COUNCILLOR claims tax payers are getting a raw deal over repairs to Darlington's £7m Pedestrian Heart.

Veteran Conservative Bill Stenson said the developers of Darlington's pedestrianised town centre should pay for correcting defects to the scheme.

It has emerged that Darlington Borough Council has been footing the bill for repairs since 2008, just a year after the completion of the work.

The council has most recently spent £400 realigning 15 to 20 granite steps on High Row.

Coun Stenson, a builder with more than 50 years' experience, said: "We are having to put right other people's work. I think it's terrible.

"Our rate payers shouldn't have to pay for this. It looks like the contract has been badly drawn up to me."

As previously reported, some of the steps were jutting out as much as three inches, prompting concerns over the safety of town centre pedestrians.

Coun Stenson said because of possible shifting ground in the town centre, the steps will continue to come out of line.

"I'd like to know what permanent solutions are going to stop this movement, and the cost of that work," he said.

"If a permanent solution isn't found, our highways department will be doing this all the time."

A spokeswoman for the council said the authority has known about the steps for about a year, despite claiming it was unaware of the situation when first approached by the Northern Echo two weeks ago.

She added: "Following further enquiries, we can now confirm that we do carry out a routine monthly inspection on the town centre in relation to issues of safety.

"During these inspections we have noted the steps in some instances have moved forward from their original position.

"Action has been taken on a number of occasions to ensure the steps are returned to their original setting."

The spokeswoman said the contract was drawn up "in line with usual practice" and that a 12 month defects liability and maintenance period ended in June 2008.

She said the council was working with the town centre designers to seek a low cost, permanent solution to the problem with the steps.