Frustration as wetlands project stalls again

Work started on the project in 2022

The creation of a scenic wetland area for wildlife in a Plymouth park has been delayed after the city council axed the contractor.

The project in Central Park aims to tackle problems of flooding at Barn Park, on the east of the site, by creating a series of ponds and drainage channels.

It was due to be completed in spring 2024 but, after work began in 2022, it ground to a halt. Work had been due to restart in April, but now the council has confirmed it is taking on a new contractor and work will not restart until June.

"It is incredibly frustrating, given that the weather is now dry and bright and we should be making progress, but we're not," a city council spokesperson said.

They added: "We told residents that work would begin by the end of April in good faith, as this was the understanding we had with the contractor.

"It didn't happen and so we've decided to part ways with the contractor on the project.

"Legal discussions are ongoing."

The spokesperson said it was "now going through the process of getting somebody else onto the job".

"The paperwork is being signed now and they've told us they'll be onsite in early June," they said.

The project was "still on course" to complete earth works by the end of the summer to allow landscaping to start, they added.

'It's an embarrassment'

Yvette Moram, who lives nearby, said: "It's really upsetting for a lot of people that just enjoy this park.

"They just want to see something better, something nicer, something to come and visit, and something for the animals."

Chris Ewings, another local resident, said: "The council have got a really good record of starting stuff and not doing it very well.

"It's not their finest hour and I feel sorry for the people in the park.

"It's a wonderful facility, we've got here and it's an embarrassment to be frank."