Warning over Memorial Park's £2.8m improvements deadline

[dutchman]

Contractors behind a delayed £2.8m refurbishment of the War Memorial Park have been ordered to meet a final completion deadline – or face a financial penalty.



It follows protests from residents, and claims there were fewer charity stalls at the weekend’s Godiva Festival because of the ongoing work, which had been due to be completed in May.

Councillor Phil Townshend, the cabinet member newly responsible for parks, said contractors Thomas Vale Construction plc faces costs for “damages” if it fails to meet its extended deadline of July 25.

But not all the refurbishment of the park will be completed by then.

The Midlands-based company has been granted several extensions to the original May 20 completion date of a project five years in the making.

It has blamed lack of progress on five weeks of harsh winter weather.

But Tory opposition leader Coun Kevin Foster said it was “unfortunate” the contractor had not made “more opportunity” of lighter evenings and better weather to catch up.