Work begins on Newport Canal project
Telford & Wrekin Council is due to start work today on a £40,000 project to improve the access and appearance to part of the area next to Newport Town Lock.
A new footpath, ramp and steps will be installed immediately adjacent to the lock as part of the first phase of works, which are valued at £30,000.
Further resurfacing works within Canal Corner may follow but the scale of these additional works will depend upon the funding available.
It will take six weeks to complete in total during which time Water Lane will be closed to traffic for a four weeks period.
Access to frontages will be maintained via the Stafford Street end of Water Lane and businesses will be open as usual.
In the interest of public safety, access to Cosy Hall will be from Stafford Street rather than Lower Bar.
Councillor Charles Smith, cabinet member for Housing and Regeneration, said: “The Newport Town Lock and the Bridge at Lower Bar are designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument and are of significant historic importance to the town.
“The area has been in need of some investment to improve its accessibility and appearance and I am delighted that the recent Planning Application was successful and the works can now go ahead.”
The contractor Fitzgerald Contractors Ltd will endeavour to keep the road closure and disruption to a minimum while the works are ongoing.
