Council steps in to give town centre a lift (and stairs too?)

Basildon Council has agreed to step in and complete the building of the new public lifts and stairs in the Town Square following months of complications.

Work by the O'Connor Group to develop Northgate House and build new lifts and stairs has faltered due to the recession.  Since September 2008, the Council has been in negotiations with the O'Connor Group in order that the work on the lifts and stairs can be completed, but that has not been successful.

The Council's cabinet (21^st April) have now agreed to complete the lifts and staircase to provide access from the Town Square to High Pavement.  The structure will be able to house the lifts and access as originally planned and thus allow for the future expansion and development of Northgate House.  Councillors have also agreed to use all possible means to recover its costs from the O'Connor Group in completing the work.

Councillor Stephen Horgan, cabinet member for regeneration and green issues, says:  "This situation has gone on for too long now. We have been negotiating hard for the developer to complete the work, but we cannot allow a permanent building site in Basildon Town Centre to impact on the look and vitality of our largest shopping centre. We have to act. "

Councillor Phil Turner, cabinet member for resources, says:  "Residents have been very patient, and have put up with this for too long.  This is why we have decided to act and complete the work ourselves, which will greatly improve the look of the area, rid the area of the hoardings once completed, and give better access to High Pavement.   We will also seek to recover the costs to the Council of any work."