Bids urged for new £5 million Shrewsbury roadworks contract
Companies are being asked to bid for a contract worth up to £5 million to carry out the next major phase of roadworks in Shrewsbury town centre.
The news comes after contractors carrying out work on Pride Hill - on another council contract - were strongly criticised by Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski for a lack of progress.
A tender document advertising the new contract states that it is worth between £1 million and £5 million and is part of the £12 million Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package.
The work will take place in three separate sites in the town centre, Bellstone from its junction with Shoplatch to Barker Street, Wyle Cop at its junction with Dogpole, and Mardol, Roushill, Mardol Head and Claremont Street.
The work is expected to start in March next year and take about seven months to complete.
The document states: "At these sites new natural stone kerb lines will be constructed to provide wider footways and new pedestrian crossing points.
"The footways will be repaved with high-quality natural stone materials.
"The existing drainage will be altered where required to suit the new road layouts.
"Carriageway resurfacing will be undertaken and some areas of carriageway will be paved in natural stone setts.
Upgrades
"Trees are proposed to be planted in urban tree pits at Bellstone and Mardol and updated street furniture is proposed at all sites.
"Traffic sign upgrades are proposed at all sites."
Contractors Casey Group began work on Pride Hill in April, with an anticipated completion date of November.
Mr Kawczynski previously said work had not progressed as fast as it should and he has even indicated there could be possible legal action on behalf of the council against Casey Group.
The council's chief executive Clive Wright said he felt "let down" and admitted that the council is "extremely dissatisfied" with progress.
But Chris Casey, managing director of Casey Group said the project had been delayed at the start but that they were working with the council to complete the refurbishment.
It is the latest work in the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package, which has already seen revamps of Wyle Cop, Meole Brace, Sutton Park and Reabrook roundabouts, Coleham Head and the English Bridge gyratory.
The deadline for expressions of interest for next year's work is September 14.
