Dawley streets ripped up after 'wrong surface' is put down

Contractors were today ripping up a Telford street after using the wrong type of material to resurface it a week ago. Workers put down the surface in Dawley High Street last week.

But they were today back on site to remove the asphalt.

The asphalt is not the type requested by Telford & Wrekin Council chiefs who said it was too slippy and could be a danger to people and traffic using the thoroughfare.

The High Street was previously all pedestrianised but it is to be opened up to one-way traffic as part of a regeneration of the town.

Councillor Vic Tonks today defended the project and said the latest hiccup was not the fault of the council.

He said: "The problem is the sub-contractors put down the wrong sort of asphalt on part of the High Street between Burton Street and the pet shop. It is not costing he council anything, however."

Councillor Eric Carter, the council's cabinet member for regeneration, said: "As part of the wider regeneration of Dawley town centre, work is ongoing to repave the High Street.

"Unfortunately, a road surface that was laid last week by a sub-contractor did not comply with the required specification and was rejected by the council's engineering team.

"The material laid did not satisfy minimum skid resistance values and would have been unsafe for road users.

"Weather permitting, we hope to get the road surface relaid by the end of the week."

Councillor Tonks said arrangements were currently being made to officially reopen the finished High Street on October 30 when there would be some celebrations.