Work continues on two major Stafford town centre projects despite lockdown

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 Philip Atkins 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 residents' concerns throughout the project.

Historic features

“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.”

The main Victoria Park area was already closed to the public before Covid-19 hit the headlines, as work took place to restore historic features.

Despite heavy rain and flooding in the town centre at the end of 2019 and the start of this year work was on track to be completed this summer – then the pandemic brought it to a standstill at the end of March.

Less than a month later however, work resumed on site during the final week of April.

An update on the borough council’s website said: “The team carrying out the restoration used the downtime to put together a safe working plan as part of the Covid-19 lockdown. This will include a reduced work force with strict social distancing measures in place.

“This means it is still unlikely that the work will be completed in time for the park to reopen in July but we will continue to provide regular updates. The tender opportunity for a new catering operator is also suspended until further notice.”

The £2.5m project, which has received support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, includes repairs to the bandstand and Mottram Shelter, as well as a refit of the thatched toilet block to create a park office and accessible facilities.

A new café is also being constructed, which will offer visitors views across the park from the interior and an outside decking area. Other facilities will include an education room, new greenhouse and sensory garden.