Leominster thanked for patience over streetworks

Herefordshire’s transport chief has thanked a market town’s businesses and residents for their patience with disruptive overrunning street works, now finally nearing an end.

Coun Philip Price, Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure said: “I would like to thank the Leominster businesses and residents who have been very patient during the improvements.

“For a number of reasons the work took a few weeks longer than originally planned, but now there are just the finishing touches to complete, feedback is that visitors are pleased with the attractive result.”

The council’s contractors worked late into the night last week to ensure that Corn Square in particular was able to host the annual Victorian Market on Saturday.

Visitors would have seen new road surfacing, wider resurfaced pavements and raised tables at junctions, while shopfronts and other historic buildings are being renovated to bring back their original detail and character.

Coun Price said the council had worked to address issues that residents had identified with the town such as narrow pavements, uneven surfaces and drainage, “while ensuring the unique, historic heart and heritage of Leominster is maintained”.

“We are confident the improvements will help to encourage more visitors to the town centre for years to come, helping to boost trade for businesses,” he added.

The improvements were carried out under the multi-million-pound Leominster High Street Heritage Action Zone project funded by Historic England and Herefordshire Council in partnership with Leominster Town Council.

The town’s mayor Gill Murdoch said the town council “is pleased that the much-needed investment in the centre of Leominster is almost complete”.

“It is wonderful to see the new look, in keeping with our historical buildings, being safe and attractive at the same time,” she said.