Newport Victoria Park reopens to the public
Monday 22nd November 2010, 7:41PM GMT.
A Shropshire town park which has undergone a £320,000 facelift has finally reopened to the public.
Residents in Newport have waited months to see Victoria Park opened after building work, which began in April, was beset by problems.
Council chiefs were forced to draft in a second set of contractors who had to work around the clock to get the job finished ahead of Saturday’s opening.
Councillor Andrew Eade, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council said: “A few weeks ago I gave an undertaking that all of the problems that had plagued Victoria Park would be resolved by this weekend and I am so pleased that after high quality round the clock working by our new contractors the park is looking good.
“It is now a first class facility.”
Work has included major drainage and landscaping, a new lighting system and footpath, picnic tables and benches.
The revamped park is all part of the borough council’s £1.5 million regeneration of the town.
Councillor Eade added: “This represents part of a major investment programme for Newport that had for so long been the Cinderella town in the borough.
“This major landscaping work merely marks the end of phase one and we hope to detail further improvements to extend this marvellous facility further in the near future. The feedback from people has been tremendous and people are very supportive of this.”
As part of Newport’s regeneration, workmen who were digging up a part of High Street in September stumbled across a part of the town’s history. Archaeologists were drafted in to examine parts of the High Street after remains of the town’s old market hall, which dates to 1850, were discovered.
Councillor Eric Carter, cabinet member for regeneration at Telford & Wrekin Council, said it was an exciting time for the town both in terms of historical discovery and regeneration.
By Jason Lavan
UK News
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Cant we chistle off back to Staffordshire, this expensive drain on Telfords resources.
The locals of Newport are only too happy to spend Telford cash to improve their impoverished village, whilst at the same crying like spoilt nimbys because they have a TF postcode.
Lets stop discussing where council money is spent over drinks at the golf course and return to spending council money where it is “needed”, not where it is wanted.
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