St Stephens Street Norwich disruption for more revamp work

Norfolk County Council came in for criticism when months of work on a £6.1m revamp of St Stephens Street came to an end in October - because no bus shelters were installed.

The council said factors such as materials, fabrication, shipping, cost and staffing had all triggered delays to projects across the construction industry.

The council is doing more work in the street next month, so trees and vegetation can be planted, but the bus shelters are not due to be put in place until spring.

However, officers at County Hall said that, when those shelters are installed, it is unlikely to require a full road closure - and it will not add to the £6.1m cost of the scheme.

A spokesman for the council said: "The bus shelters will be installed in spring next year, as announced in September

"They will be delivered several weeks before they are due to be fitted once the dates and details of the installation are finalised.

"The shelters are being supplied by Clear Channel and the cost of the shelters themselves, their delivery and installation is part of the overall £6.1m project cost.

"There will be more details published in the new year, but when the shelters are installed we do expect the work can be completed with lane closures, not full road closures."

St Stephens Street in Norwich was shut for months while the £6.1m work was done (Image: Archant 2022)

Meanwhile, the planting of trees and vegetation in new planters on St Stephens Street will begin on January 9 and continue until January 16.

During the work, the street, which is not accessible to general traffic, will have a lane closure and a one-way system in place.

That one-way system will change direction midway through the week to allow planting on the other side of the street.

Work will take place first on the inbound, Chantry Place shopping centre side of the road.

Bus stops on the side of the road which is shut will not be operating.