Traders fear bleak Christmas as town centre works drag on

THE controversial town centre improvement works on Warrington’s Lower Bridge Street have been delayed despite earlier council claims that the £500,000 project was on target.
Some works will not be completed until the New Year as contractors have run out of paving flags, with temporary tarmac being laid so the street can be re-opened before Christmas.
Delays have been caused by United Utilities failing to relocate a standby pipe on schedule and Scottish Power failing to disconnect and transfer the electricity supply to lighting columns.
Disillusioned traders, who have already seen a huge down turn in business due to the works causing major disruption, now fear an even bleaker Christmas.
A downbeat John Tisdall from Warrington Audio Visual said: “It was bound to have an impact on business and things are not going to get any better until they re-open the road and tidy it up.
“The latest news we have been told is that it could be another two weeks before they have finished.
“There have been a few signs that things are slightly starting to pick up, but we will be well down on last year – and the council won’t even discuss compensation.”
Newsagent Shahbaz Ahmed who runs Bridge Street News says he has lost 90 per cent of his trade since the works started in August.
He placed a poster in his shop window “thanking” Warrington council for “brilliant plans and after service.”
Contractors have been working on Sundays in a bid to catch up.
Deputy leader of the council Cllr. Mike Hannon, who holds the council’s portfolio for the town centre, has asked for a full report on the
delays.
A Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the works will be completed before Christmas.”