IMPROVEMENT works to paving in Stratford’s Wood Street are complete.
The works mark the completion of a third phase in a town centre improvement project which includes the resurfacing of paving and roads in Bridge Street and High Street, carried out some two years ago.
The old paving in Wood Street has been replaced after much wear and tear in recent years. This was largely due to HGVs using it for deliveries.
The new paving is made from smaller slabs and a more robust material designed to withstand the weight of HGVs. This aims to reduce disruption caused by continuous repairs which have been taking place every month along with ongoing maintenance costs.
Stratford-based Warwickshire county councillors Jenny Fradgley and Kate Rolfe used their respective councillor budget to fund the initial two phases of work on Bridge Street and High Street.
The scheme is also supported by Coun Sinclair, county councillor for Stratford North. They have been working with county council officers to ensure the paving in and around the town’s historic quarter is safe, fit for purpose and in line with the town’s aesthetic.
In a joint statement, Coun Fradgley, Coun Rolfe and Coun Sinclair said: “The Wood Street works have been a major project which have taken over three years to complete. The design, finance and fitting of the work into a very busy schedule of improvement activity within the town have all posed significant challenges.
“We are very happy to have been able to work together with county officers to achieve safer pavements along Wood Street.
“It’s great to see these works completed ahead of schedule and they do represent a huge improvement.
“We were as concerned as anyone about the state of these pavements and so we are really pleased to see the investment here. These improvements represent good news for residents, visitors and our local businesses alike.”
Warwickshire County Council’s planning spokesman Wallace Redford said: “This is a great example of a community powered Warwickshire – everyone working together to make important improvements for residents, businesses and visitors to Stratford.
“We wanted to ensure the restrictions were not in place for any longer than they need to be. In the end they were ready a week earlier which is great news for the Stratford community.”
Visit https://ask.warwickshire.gov.uk/transport-planning/stratford-upon-avon-town-centre to have a say on town centre improvements.
