Opening date for bus hub delayed

The opening of a new bus station for Wellington has been delayed by a month after contractors ran into problems on site, council chiefs revealed today.

Work is still ongoing and the first bus shelters are due to be erected next week but hopes of completing the project at the end of next month have disappeared.

Nigel Newman, Telford & Wrekin Council spokesman, said: "Contractors have come across underground problems as the project has progressed.

"These have taken time to resolve and will mean the project is now due to finish at the end of July, not the end of June as originally hoped."

He said the temporary car park at the Charlton Arms would remain open for use throughout the work, while contractors Blackwells had worked closely with Wellington traders to minimise disruption.

He said the contractors would make every effort to ensure no disruption to the Wellington Carnival and the project's first phase, building the interchange on the former Parade Car Park, was expected to be complete before the carnival.

Stuart Freeman, the council's network & policy manager, said: "We are working with contractors to get this new facility for Wellington completed as fast as we can and will recoup any time where we can.

"With any major scheme on a tight schedule, unforeseeable issues can arise."