Work continues on major town centre project despite lockdown
By
Kerry Ashdown |
Stafford |
Coronavirus | Published: 1 hour ago
Work is continuing Stafford town centre despite the coronavirus lockdown.
Councillor Mark Winnington at the Stafford Western Access Route construction site. Photo by Staffordshire LDR Kerry Ashdown
Most shops in the main streets are closed due to the current lockdown measures, leaving normally busy areas such as Market Square far quieter than usual.
But over in nearby Victoria Park there is activity, as the major restoration project has resumed.
And work to construct a new road to relieve town centre traffic is continuing, Staffordshire County Council leader reported on Monday.
Speaking at a virtual corporate review committee meeting he said: “The Stafford Western Access Route has continued throughout the pandemic lockdown – as has the western extension on i54 in South Staffordshire. There are projects still ongoing.”
Piling work at the Stafford Western Access Route site was suspended for two weeks in late March, but resumed last month after being reviewed by the piling contractor and Amey Highways to ensure it could be carried out safely. The driven piling work is expected to be completed this week.
Demolition and earthworks were halted on the old Saint Gobain site, but carriageway works on Doxey Road continued, alongside some other works on the Sainsbury’s site.
Mark Winnington, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “It is vital that we are maintaining construction work that will maintain long-term economic stability.
“Our teams will continue to work where they can, but we will continue to take decisions on whether we continue to operate road schemes considering public safety, the safety of our employees and our suppliers’ operations. We are listening and responding to resident concerns throughout the project.
“What is right for one site may not be right for another and it is important that our local judgement applies unless and until any further restrictions are applied in support of the overall health strategy. The overriding priority is the safety of the public and our employees.”