WARRINGTON Borough Council has defended its decision to start work on £750,000 worth of improvements on The Forge car park at Stockton Heath, after some local residents expressed dismay it was starting on the first day many local shops were re-opening after lockdown.
Local resident Karen Dakin took to social media to express her frustration saying: “Work to resurface and extend the car park starts tomorrow…..the SAME day that all the businesses can finally re-open after 100 days of forced closure. Stupid !!!”
Others shared her concerns, questioning the timings of the work, with many local businesses not being able to open since the start of the year and parking in the village at a premimum.
But Warrington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for highways, transportation and public realm, Cllr Hans Mudnry said: “With these uncertain times the most important thing is to get the improvements made to the forge car park for the long term benefit.
“Understanding the big efforts to get the funds in the first place we have proceeded at the best pace possible and do not want to delay the improvements.”
The car park, located in the busy district centre of Stockton Heath, is to undergo £750,000 worth of improvement works, along with the expansion of the lower level of the site, providing an additional 24 parking places which includes six more disabled parking bays.
The improvements will also see the demolition of the disused toilet block on the lower level, the renewal of drainage and the resurfacing of the main access routes throughout the car park.
Improvements to the lighting and CCTV systems will also be made, making the overall feel of the car park a safe and secure place to park when visiting Stockton Heath.
A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson added: “Last month, the council notified that The Forge was to undergo refurbishment, as it has been in need of urgent repair for some time.
“We understand that these urgent works will coincide at a time when the high street will begin to reopen, but the works for The Forge have been planned to go ahead for a number of months, and given the urgent nature of the refurbishment required, we aren’t able to postpone works on site.
“To minimise disruption however, only a third of the car park will be closed at any one time, as we are phasing works across the top level (West Avenue to Egerton Street), middle section (Egerton street to the ramp) and lower section (serving the doctor’s surgery and St Thomas’ Church).
“We expect these phased works to take between 12-14 weeks in total to complete and we will be working with shopping centre owners and local councillors throughout. We and are keen to ensure that we begin work as soon as possible, given the level of repairs required, so that we have a refurbished and high-quality car park ready for what we anticipate will be a very busy summer period.
“Refurbishment will include resurfacing the main car park, renewal of the drainage system, enhancing street lighting and CCTV, improving road markings and extending the car park.”
The Forge Car Park will be improved in phases
