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Still no end date for £3.2m city square rebuild

Paul Moseley/BBC Two signs behind a fence surrounding the work on Hay Hill. One sign warns that 'workforce abuse' will not be tolerated'. The other says 'Programme duration extended due to additional works to complete'Paul Moseley/BBC
Fencing and signs remain around Hay Hill in Norwich, where construction work began in April last year

Contractors say long-delayed work on a city centre square would be finished "within the next few weeks".

The £3.2m redevelopment of Hay Hill in Norwich began in April 2023, with construction originally due to be completed earlier this year.

The delay has been criticised by Green councillor Jamie Osborn, who said "people are left wondering, when is it going to be completed?"

The firm carrying out the work, Tarmac, said it was taking longer because of “additional works” - whilst the Labour-run city council said it was "looking forward to the re-opening of Hay Hill".

Paul Moseley/BBC This image shows the redevelopment of Hay Hill, with new paving, some wooden fencing and planters with a range of plants.Paul Moseley/BBC
Inside the fencing, the work on Hay Hill appears to be nearly complete

Since the work started in 2023, sculptures which previously occupied the space have been relocated to Eaton Park - except for a statue of Thomas Browne which has been returned to Hay Hill.

Whilst the site remains fenced off, most of the work appears to have been completed, with new seating, planters and a water feature in place.

Mr Osborn said he understood the delay in completion had been down to a dispute between the council and the contractors.

“It seems there has been some kind of argy-bargy.. and what they’ve not explained is what that’s all about,” he said.

He added that he supported the decision to redevelop the area and it was disappointing it had yet to reopen.

“There’s ugly fencing, people can’t sit inside it. And if you want go past the fencing it’s really hard to do if you have a pushchair or wheelchair, or disability needs.”

Paul Moseley/BBC Jamie Osborn standing next to fencing surrounding Hay Hill, along with a sign which says 'Programme duration extended due to additional works to complete'.Paul Moseley/BBC
Councillor Jamie Osborn said Hay Hill had "looked very tired" and needed "sprucing up"

Neither the council nor Tarmac commented on whether there had been a dispute.

A spokeswoman for the council said it was "very much looking forward to the re-opening of Hay Hill".

"We would like to thank our residents and businesses in the area for their patience whilst work has been progressing," she said.

Kate Harper, from Tarmac, said the "finishing touches" were being put on what she called "a fantastic project".

"The work is now very near completion, and as a result, it will be open within the next few weeks."

Work that began in April 2023 still hasn’t been completed… but why?

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