Pledge to speed up revamp work on Shrewsbury's Pride Hill

Daniel Kawczynski met with Chris Casey from Casey Group, the firm employed by Shropshire Council to carry out the work, last week.

He sought assurances that the refurbishment work, which is part of the £12 million Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package, would be completed by its November deadline.

Earlier in the day he had visited the site and had seen a solitary workman but when he returned later that afternoon there was a group of approximately 15 people working away.

Mr Kawczynski said: “At the meeting with the managing director of Casey Group were representatives of Shropshire Council, Shrewsbury BID, Shrewsbury shopping centres and the two businesses which have been most affected so far – Waitrose and Cotswold Outdoor.

“I was extremely concerned about what’s going on but they have assured me that they will finish by November.

“They said they would be putting more workmen on the job and I told them I will be monitoring the situation during the summer.

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"I will have a meeting with them in September to review the progress made. I want to see a massive quickening of the work. So far they have done a very small section of the road.

“I have told them that I will put them on notice that if they are slipping behind, and if that is the case I will be asking the council to terminate the contract and seek legal advice.

“I have seen it time and time again when the boss of a firm turns up more workmen appear. I will read them the riot act if progress is not made.”

The works to the street, one of Shrewsbury’s busiest shopping routes, began in April and is due to be concluded in November.

The outdated red brick setts are to be replaced with York stone slabs while the street furniture, including benches, litter bins and lampposts, replaced and renewed.

Last week, Shropshire Council’s chief executive Clive Wright said he felt “let down” and admitted that the council was “extremely dissatisfied” with progress.

Following a site visit, Mr Casey said: “As a successful family run business with more than 50 years’ experience delivering similar work we pride ourselves on our ability to engage and prioritise the local community.

"We appreciate there are challenges undertaking projects like this.”