Coventry Broadgate work "on time and on budget"

[dutchman]

Work on Coventry Broadgate is on time and on budget according to the city council.



No date has been set for the official opening of the square, which is being redeveloped as part of a £7million programme of improvements ahead of the 2012 Olympics, which starts in Coventry on July 25.

But the authority expects it to be completed or nearing completion by St George’s Day – April 23 – when an opening event is planned.

The work, which started nearly ten months ago, aims to transform the square into the city’s main events space.

Traffic has been banned from the area, with bus stops moved to other locations in the city. The work even put paid to the Christmas lights switch-on event, which was axed in favour of a series of smaller ones.

But in recent weeks the square has started to take shape, with larger areas of paving unveiled for pedestrians. The first tree was even planted in the area last month. Traders in the area have previously complained about the scale of the work.

[dutchman]

Coventry's new Broadgate Square to open on St George's Day

COVENTRY’S new Broadgate Square will be officially unveiled to the public on St George’s Day.

The city council has revealed that the first event to be held in the new pedestrianised square will celebrate two of England’s most famous characters – St George and William Shakespeare.

Work has been underway on the new site since May last year as part of a major £7million investment to improve key parts of the city centre and kick-start regeneration in the city.

On April 23, there will also be events planned ahead of the final qualifying match for the Olympic Men’s Football – which takes place at the Ricoh Arena that evening.

The square will be packed with music, celebrations and events for children – including a table football tournament with Team St George taking on Team Shakespeare – with members of the public being invited to join in.

More events are still being scheduled into the programme, which is due to begin at 11am and finish at 3pm. Coun John Mutton, leader of Coventry City Council, said: “Broadgate is set to be a fantastic new square and I’m delighted that our first event will be a great, traditional celebration of St George’s day – featuring those English favourites of football and Shakespeare!

“There will be something for everyone on the day and I hope people will come into town and enjoy the event and the new square. We want people to be proud of our city centre and of our new Broadgate.”

[rebbonk]

It'll forever be known as "Mutton's patio!"

[rebbonk]

Are the councillors here so stupid...

I'm afraid so.