Scaffolding holding up roof above shops in Bury St Edmunds set to be removed after three years
Tom Murray and Paul Hopfensperger by the scaffolding around Tesco Express on St Andrews Street.
A long running saga over scaffolding in St Andrews Street South, Bury St Edmunds, could be about to come to an end.
The scaffolding by the Tesco Express store and the back of Poundland has been up for about three years.
Town resident Tom Murray has repeatedly asked at council meetings over the last 18 months why the scaffolding has been abandoned, saying it forces people to walk in the road.
St Edmundsbury Borough Cllr Paul Hopfensperger who looked into the matter said: “The council came back to me on Friday and said the scaffolding is holding up the roof, the building company has gone into administration and there is nothing we can do.” .
That prompted fears it could be left indefinitely.
The street has already been called the ugliest in Bury by arc centre manager Colin Roberts.
Mr Murray said: “If the scaffolding is holding up the roof I wonder how safe it is. The big problem is when you are forced to walk out into the road.
“I appreciate that the company has gone bust and the scaffolders have not been paid, but the council has a duty of care on this matter.
“It has become an eyesore. Somebody owns the building and they are getting money from Tesco and Poundland and the council are getting the business rates.
“We have got tourist season around the corner. Are we going to wait for somebody to be killed before something is done?”
But on Tuesday the council revealed it has been told the building owners has appointed a new contractor, and it is hoped the scaffolding will come down within the next few months.
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Friday 24 May 2013
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