Work to complete town square lifts begins

Work to complete the building of the new public lifts and stairs in the Town Square has started.

The first phase of steel works has begun, with the additional steel structure for the lifts and stairs now being added.

The main works should be completed by December and final operational checks on the lifts in January. It is hoped that the new staircase will be ready for use by the end of the year, enabling the temporary staircase to be removed. Replacement paving will then be completed in the New Year.

Councillor Stephen Horgan, Deputy Leader of the Council, says: "I am pleased to see the new steelworks being put into place. This site has been an eyesore for too long, and it will be great to get the work finished for the benefit of our residents, shoppers and businesses. "

Councillor Phil Turner, cabinet member for resources, says: "Residents and traders have been very patient to put up with this. 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."

Work by the O'Connor Group to develop Northgate House and build new lifts and stairs faltered due to the recession with subsequent negotiations with the company around completing the work proving unsuccessful. The Council's cabinet agreed in April to complete the lifts and staircase to provide access from the Town Square to High Pavement. The structure will house the public lifts and stairs to High Pavement.