Road resurfacing delayed by paperwork leaving works incomplete and residents astounded
Road workers will be making a return visit to Church Stretton to finish a resurfacing job after finally sorting out paperwork with railway chiefs.
Sandford Avenue in the south Shropshire town has been closed off during the day for work to be carried out, with a diversion in place.
Part of the road includes a bridge over a railway line where there are very tight rules to check that the route is not affected. A Network Rail representative is required to supervise the work.
Residents in the town were astounded when road workers seemed to down tools and leave the surface of the railway bridge untouched. Pictures emerged on social media showing a part of Sandford Avenue with the same rutted surface.
The authorities have explained that the issue was to do with the paperwork required and the checks that have to be made to make sure that the roadworks do not impact on the railway.
Shropshire Council said that its contractor Kier lodged a request with Network Rail at Christmas and had been waiting for a response.
Network Rail, which has carried out all the checks, has given the go-ahead and work on the railway bridge has been authorised to take place from February 26.
