WORK on the major refurbishment to the Forum Car Park in Cirencester is on schedule and should be completed in early to mid April.

The refurbishment began on February 9 and has focused on improvements to the north end of the car park, including installation of new drainage, reduction of external walling, and repairs carried out to enable new railings to be installed.

There has also been kerbing laid in landscaped areas, a new entry and exit access to car park, removal of tree stumps and the construction of pedestrian access ramp.

Contractors, Griffiths, are next focusing on the south end of the car, where they will be completing work on similar issues.

Chris Hancock, cabinet member for enterprise and partnerships at CDC, is pleased with the progress so far.

He said: “The work is going according to plan and the new look car park that residents requested is beginning to take shape. This is tricky work because it is being carried out on the site of a scheduled ancient monument and I am pleased to hear that the contractors have taken great care to ensure that improvements are being carried out sensitively. So far no noteworthy objects have been uncovered but all excavations continue to be monitored very diligently.”

“Throughout the work so far we have managed to make 85 car parking spaces available every day, and we are still aiming for a completion date of mid to early April when about 200 spaces will be available again.

He added that the car park would be closed for two days so that resurfacing and relining can be done.

“The council has continued to survey parking capacity in the town and we have taken steps to alleviate the pressure on other car parks. In particular, we have made 140 spaces at our Trinity Road car park available to the general public on Saturdays and Sundays. This is free of charge and the offer will continue until the end of May.”

As part if the refurbishment drainage across the car park is being upgraded, and new benches manufactured from recycled materials are being installed.

For more information about the project please go to www.cotswold.gov.uk