WORK to improve the appearance of Yeovil town centre has resumed – but the council won’t reveal exactly how soon all the aspects will be completed, writes Daniel Mumby, Local Democracy Reporter.
South Somerset District Council has committed to improving the appearance and accessibility of numerous sections of the town centre as part of its Yeovil Refresh regeneration programme.
Work on the first section, in Westminster Street, suffered a setback in February after Midas Construction entered administration.
The council has now confirmed work on the public realm programme has resumed – but officers refused to set a specific target date for the completion of every section.
Ian Timms, the council’s Yeovil Refresh project manager, gave an update at a virtual meeting of the council’s area south committee on Wednesday, April 6.
He said: “We have now restarted work on this. We did do some visits to Westminster Street last week just to let the premises on the street know that it was happening.
“We expect that the work on the south side, from just outside the NatWest bank to the mouth of Clarence Street, should be completed in an eight-week period.
“We will then look to complete that side completely to allow pedestrians to run through it, and then move on to the north side – and I’ll confirm the timings on that once we’re in contract on that side.
“We’ve split the contract into two sections, and it is being re-let as a result of Midas becoming insolvent in the early part of February.”
On Wine Street, Mr Timms said the council was waiting on BT’s sub-contractors to complete a short section, with drainage connections into Union Street due to be completed by Sunday (April 10).
This section of work had been delayed by a week and a half due to coronavirus cases within the workforce.
Start dates for work at The Triangle, where a new amphitheatre and fountain will be constructed, are yet to be confirmed following meetings between council officers and utilities providers.
Contracts for the final element, regarding elements of Middle Street, are expected to be signed in May, with work due to begin later in the year.
Councillor Andy Kendall asked whether the council had set a definite end date for the work, stating: “I’m getting asked this question a lot. Have you got a season in mind when it might be finished.”
Mr Timms replied: “As soon as I’ve got a clear [work] programme – and it has been held up by the utilities – I will be able to give you an end date. But I wouldn’t confidently be able to give you one at the moment.
“It should be finished in the late-spring next year. I’ll definitely give you the dates when I can.”
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