Contractors working on the new-look Victoria Park have been brought to task about issues with their work.
This week five new picnic benches had to be ripped from the ground and will need to be repositioned – because they were too far off the ground.
Members of the regeneration partnership are keeping a close eye on progress and considered the benches to be a trip hazard. It will take about a week to lower the benches back to ground level.
But, crucially, the cost of the exercise – believed to run into four figures – will fall on the contractors, JPCS Ltd, rather than Telford & Wrekin Council.
Nadine Evans, chair of the regeneration partnership, said the group was doing all it could to ensure the highest standards.
She said: “We are aware there’s quite a bit of renovation work to be done. The contractors have been made aware of their obligation to the scheme.
“We have no concerns in the long term, but in the short term we’re not quite where we need to be.
“There is still work to be done at the bottom of the stream and the on the green surface areas. The contractors have assured us that it will be done by the end of next week, but we’re not entirely convinced that’s achievable.”
And Telford & Wrekin Officer Mike Vout added: “The issues raised by the regeneration partnership have been valid ones.
“We have had some issues with the contractors and there have been a few delays.
“We are here to make sure that the general finishing is the standard we require and we are confident that the bulk of the work will be finished by autumn.”
Frank Parker, a resident of Forton Road for over 40 years, is a regular visitor to the park.
He vented his frustration at the delays, saying: “I was sitting on one of picnic benches just the other day and there was no problem.
“We have eyes on our head. I was speaking to the workmen and they were incensed at having to do needless extra work.”
There is also an issues with oil appearing in the stream through the park.
Workers believed they had identified the source, but more oil appeared this week.
By Sean Wozencroft
