Council's letter of thanks for work on Wellington roads

Wellington Town Council last night agreed to write to McPhillips to compliment workers on the quality of work done on roads around the town centre.

But some councillors were unhappy about praising a scheme which they say caused chaos for drivers.

Councillor Stephen de Launey, chairman of the council's policy and resources committee, said: "We are not saying this is absolutely wonderful but if you look at the state of our ring road now it's better than I remember it so the pain is possibly worthwhile."

Councillor Denis Allen, a former civil engineer, said he was unhappy about praising the quality of work before it had really been tested. "If the road comes up in the next few months where does that leave us?" he said.

Councillor Roger Aveley wanted the disruption to be acknowledged.

He said: "There are traders who have lost thousands of pounds. I think we should write to the borough council and say thank you for doing our roads, but can we have more consultation in the future?"

Councillor Frank Burns, who originally suggested a letter, said: "We all recognise what chaos there was but we all recovered, and a word of thanks doesn't ever go amiss."

The council also called for action over two untidy buildings in the town.

Telford & Wrekin Council is to be asked to enforce a notice served on the owners of the Charlton Arms Hotel to tidy it up, and there were calls for the outside of the former Clifton cinema to be spruced up.

Telford & Wrekin Council leader Councillor Kuldip Sahota, a guest at the meeting, said the borough had written to the owners of the Charlton Arms, part of which is listed, to insist work was done to tidy it up.

He also urged the town council to ask Telford & Wrekin to take similar action to get the Clifton tidied up. The building has been empty since Dunelm Mill moved to Telford town centre last year.