Faster food at Merrywalks (From Stroud News and Journal)

Faster food at Merrywalks

WORK has finally begun on the McDonald's restaurant in Stroud's Merrywalks.

The construction crew moved in on Monday to begin clearing the site, removing undergrowth and debris.

Perhaps surprisingly, given Stroud's track record and a fierce campaign against the company's arrival over recent months, when the workmen arrived there was not a protester in sight.

Robert Parker, a spokesman for the burger giant, said the completion date had yet to be fixed.

"It isn't going to be until the new year," he said.

"But we wouldn't want to put a more accurate date on it at this stage."

It is understood, however, that the work is expected to take approximately three months. The work had been due to start on November 4 but was put back three weeks.

The construction of the pedestrian access route along Rowcroft Retreat, which should take around six weeks, has also been delayed.

It had been pencilled in to begin last Monday, November 18, but has been rescheduled for mid January.

For the latest on the McDonald's saga, including details of one man's single-handed protest against the burger chain, see this week's Stroud News & Journal.