Shropshire Star

'Finish the work' say Shrewsbury businesses and shoppers

As it is revealed that the construction firm responsible for works on Pride Hill in Shrewsbury may not have the contract renewed, shoppers and businesses spoke of their dissatisfaction and desire to see the work complete.

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Pedestrians navigate the ongoing roadworks on Pride Hill

On Tuesday, Shropshire Council's leader Peter Nutting suggested that when work on the shopping street finishes next month in time for the Christmas period, the council will be looking to appoint a new contractor in the future.

Work started on Pride Hill in April and has attracted widespread criticism for ongoing delays and disruption.

It was revealed earlier this month that the works to replace setts, street furniture and flagstones would miss its initial deadline and instead finish without the whole of the area being complete. Work would then restart in the new year to the lower part of the street.

While some said the replacement of the cobbles and red bricks with flagstones was an improvement, they said they had hoped the whole the whole of the pedestrianised area would be finished by November 9, not just the stretch to Butcher Row.

The owner of Phillpots sandwich specialist in Butcher Row, Alan Lancaster, said it had been a difficult time for retailers.

"First of all it was the gas works, then the Pride Hill improvements," he said.

"These works were needed but it is really disappointing that it now looks like they will be suspended until after Christmas and we might have another summer of disruption next year. Summer is the busiest time for us and the works have affected us, particularly during the weeks when Butcher Row was blocked off.

"It is a shame the works could not have carried on at weekends and evenings to get it finished sooner."

Shopper Dave Green, an engineer from Shrewsbury, said: "I hope that, unlike last time, they have taken into account that big trucks may have to drive over the surface so that we don't get the sunken and cracked bricks that they are now having to replace.

"They say the work is on schedule to finish on November 9 but looking at it, that is obviously not the whole of Pride Hill."

Paula Pierce from Telford uses a mobility scooter and says the new surface is a marked improved.

"The cobbles were dreadful, particularly when I was still able to walk. The section that has been re-paved really does look better and is easier to navigate."