Market revamp delay due to wintry weather

Wintry weather has caused further delays to the completion of a Black Country market's long-awaited revamp.

Originally it had been hoped the £1.2 million project at Great Bridge market would be ready before Christmas but plunging temperatures has led to it taking longer than first hoped.

The snow and freezing weather that has descended on the region in recent weeks means it is now likely to be March before it is ready to be unveiled.

Sandwell council regeneration chief Councillor Bob Badham said: "We are hopeful the market will open in March. There has been delays caused by the recent bad weather which has affected building schemes all over the country."

Included in the plans is a new purpose designed canopy shelter for market traders in the outside market, as well as extra car parking spaces and local artwork. As part of the work the main town centre car park is also being given an overhaul in a bid to cope with the extra traffic expected.

The new car park, next to Barclays Bank, is to transform a derelict site which has been branded an eyesore. It will have space for 86 cars, eight extra vehicle spaces on non-market days, five large spaces for market vans and 12 disabled spaces.

The artwork that will feature in the scheme has a strong local feel and has been put together by local artists Ron Thompson and Julie Edwards who have worked with design and technology students from Alexandra High School and sixth form centre.