£40,000 revamp on way for Stafford town centre

The works, which will be carried out on Gaolgate Street, at the north end of the town centre, include drainage replacement and block paving.

Staffordshire County Council has confirmed the scheme will get under way on January 9 and take around six weeks to complete.

The street is home to some big name brands including Ryman as well a Wetherspoon pub The Butler's Bell.

M&S was based there but it has now relocated to the £100 million Riverside complex.

The council has warned there will be disruption during the works and a temporary road closure put in place, although the street is already pedestrianised for most of the day.

The authority has said: "The estimated start date is January 9, 2017.

"The works are expected to take approximately six weeks from the start date.

"There will be a temporary road closure. As far as practically possible via a diversion route.

"We take care to make sure that work is completed with the minimum of disturbance of the local community but as with any major works, some disruption will occur."

Stafford borough councillor Christine Baron, who represents the Forebridge ward, said she had been calling for improvements for around 12 months and welcomed confirmation of the work.

She said: "When I walk down the street I walk with my head down because I am terrified of going over.

"So many people have come to me about this complaining.

"I have been complaining myself for about a year and I felt like I was coming up against a brick wall.

"I was told they do have inspectors go out in the area and I thought 'well they must be going out in the wrong place'."

Councillor Baron added that it was good the council would be carrying out the works in January and hoped it would consider extending the scheme into Market Square where stall holders are based.

She said: "I'm glad it is going to be at a time when it is quieter.

"It is a shame it won't be done before Christmas before it gets busy though.

"I hope they are going to do Market Square as well because it is absolutely appalling there."

Earlier this year Stafford Borough Council announced a raft of measures to help revitalise the north end of the town to counter any potential loss of trade from the opening of Riverside, as well as the new 1,000-space car park that is driving visitors in from the southern end.

One scheme includes giving new businesses on certain streets business rate relief to encourage independent traders to come in.