'Challenging' groundworks blamed for Bilston Market rebuilding delay as costs rise
Designs for the construction of the new Bilston Market have been changed due to the discovery of old mining works resulting in delays amid complaints.
Wolverhampton Council said after a delay the £5 million scheme is due to resume on July 23 featuring better access for pedestrians from the bus and Metro station, a new canopy, new toilets, stall improvements and improved public spaces.
Works are set to officially start on July 23 after the traders were temporarily relocated, comprehensive surveys carried out along with asbestos remediation, mine investigation and grouting, and demolition of the existing market stalls and public toilet block.
Council leader Stephen Simkins said that despite the discovery of difficult ground conditions at the market site, the council was“100 per cent committed” to delivering the full scheme as agreed with traders.
Councillor Simkins said: “Delivering a first class, improved and modern market – the absolute best market in the West Midlands - with better access is an absolute priority for us – and I’m pleased to see work begin so we can deliver for our traders and the people of Bilston.
“Unfortunately surveys revealed far more challenging ground conditions at the site than we had anticipated, so we have had to re-engineer parts of the project.
"This has driven up the cost of the scheme - but I can assure traders we will not compromise on our ambition and will deliver the full scheme exactly as agreed with them.”
Councillor Simkins added: “We promised traders they’d be the first to know once we got the timeline of the works and I met with them face to face first this morning to talk through the plans and let them know how we’re supporting them while the works take place.”
The council said it has identified additional contingency funds of up to £2.5m for the scheme. Rent costs will be frozen or the indoor and outdoor market traders and the council is also pumping £15,000 into activities and events in and around the indoor market to help attract footfall while the work is being done.
The new market is expected to be completed by June next year.
Traders previously said they were concerned that no visible progress has been made on the new development for six months and that site notices and construction equipment were taken away last month.
