Contractor called back to Blackburn’s £34m Cathedral Quarter to re-lay paving

Council bosses felt the 100 square metre section was "not up to standard" and a team of workmen is now lifting and replacing the stones.

The work is being done at Eric Wright’s cost as part of the "snagging process" which follows any major development.

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Further work is also taking place elsewhere on the paved and grassed area in front of the block, Premier Inn and Cathedral.

Tarmac on the pavement in front of Crawshaw’s Butchers on Railway Road will shortly be paved.

Clare Turner, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Cathedral Quarter manager, said: “An area of about 100 square metres of paving is being lifted and relayed by Eric Wright. As part of a routine ‘snagging’ process, our staff and their after-care team decided it was not up to the required standard and needed redoing.

“This is being done at Eric Wright and not the council’s expense as part of the contract.”

Borough regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley said: “This is perfectly normal with a major project. The Cathedral Quarter was a massive undertaking and Eric Wright have done a first-class job.

“However, small items often occur after the main work is complete.

“In this case paving stones appear to have settled after laying, requiring a small amount of remedial work.”

John Wilson, Eric Wright Construction managing director, said: We’re working with the council and sub-contractor to relay some of the paving within the Cathedral Quarter to meet the high standards of the whole scheme.

“We strive to deliver excellent serviceincluding after care that’s second-to-none and are rectifying this defect as a matter of urgency and at our own expense.”ouncil Liberal Democrat group leader, Cllr David Foster, said: “I would have though Eric Wright could have got it right first time.

“In the past the council has failed to check work properly, so it’s good to see they are ensuring everything is up to standard.”