Six-month late revamp of Shrewsbury's Pride Hill nears completion
Roadworks in Shrewsbury's Pride Hill should be completed next month - six months after they were due to be finished.
Shropshire Council said it is "extremely pleased" at the quality of work now being carried out in the town centre.
Wellington-based McPhillips took over the high-profile work in February after the contract was taken off Casey Group.
The refurbishment, as part of the council's £12 million Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package (SITP), was due to have been finished in November but Casey failed to hit the deadline.
The work was halted for Christmas as the authority feared it would affect trade during the busy festive period and re-started in February with the new team.
Councillor Steve Davenport, cabinet member for highways and parking, said: “Shropshire Council is extremely pleased to see the rapid pace and quality of work now being undertaken by McPhillips Ltd to bring the Pride Hill improvement works to a conclusion."
It is anticipated that the bottom section will be completed by mid-May with works continuing afterwards on the top section, including the completion of new street furniture, planting, wayfinding signs and new lighting, plus remedial works to paving.
Refresh
Councillor Davenport said that when complete, it will totally refresh the area as a place to shop, meet and spend time for residents and visitors alike.
He added: "Shropshire Council is investing £12m overall in the town through the SITP, and this is addressing key issues such as congestion, road safety, pedestrian wayfinding, the visitor experience and public realm enhancements.
"Building on the town’s annual footfall increase in recent times - which is bucking the national trend - the SITP will add further to the profile of Shrewsbury as a key local and regional destination for shoppers, tourists and businesses.
“We’d like to thank the town’s residents and traders for their ongoing patience as these vital improvement works are carried out.”
The work by Casey was plagued by criticism from residents, businesses and politicians.
Leader of Shrewsbury Town Council Alan Mosley asked the authority to launch an investigation into the original work which he said went from "crisis to crisis".
