New start date for delayed £10m high street revamp

Plans for a redesigned town centre were unveiled in January

A delayed £10m project to revamp a town centre in Derbyshire is now set to begin next spring.

The scheme to revitalise Long Eaton's High Street was previously scheduled for September this year.

Erewash Borough Council now expects work to start in May next year and be completed by May 2027.

The authority said the scheme would give the town a "vibrant new look".

The council said the delays were caused by "challenging target costs issued by the design and build contractor".

'Huge investment'

Local businessman Richard Ledger, who chairs the Long Eaton Town Deal Board that is overseeing the regeneration, said the group wanted to deliver something the town "can be truly proud of".

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime boost for Long Eaton," Mr Ledger said. "We are determined to get things absolutely right.

"With such a huge investment, our priority is to give the people of the town something they can be truly proud of by delivering a transformation that stands the test of time."

The high street development is one of several multimillion-pound regeneration projects being funded by a £25m government grant.

A project for the Britannia Mills Bridge, which will form part of an improved pedestrian and cycling network, is due to begin in November 2025, with completion in June 2026.

Work was previously planned to start in September.

Meanwhile, after three months of delays, construction for the Broad Street Bridge is now due November 2025, with completion pushed back to August 2026.