Cracks survey delay has knock-on effect

Delays to hydrogeological survey outcome results in funding bid postponement

THE mystery of cracks and subsidence afflicting fields, buildings and roads around Victoria Park and Park Way in Newbury since last summer is still unresolved, and the wait for answers is now impacting on projects due to take place.

Early estimates of a four week resolution for the hydrogeological survey carried out by Scott Wilson proved somewhat optimistic, as commissioned by Newbury Town Council in the first week of September, some six months on, and an extra £3,000 on top of the original £5,165 bill, there is still no resolution.

A draft copy is in the hands of the town council's solicitors, according to chief executive Graham Hunt, who said this week that many details still had to be worked out before anything was released.

The resulting delays have meant the postponement of a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid, due to be made by February 28, which would have been used to fund improvements to Victoria Park.

HLF advised the council that as the current state of the park was “uncertain” due to the survey being carried out, it would not advise a bid to follow.

A decision will be taken by the town council in August as to whether a bid will be made.

As for Victoria Park itself, the water extraction works carried out by Park Way contractors Costain has ceased, and ground water levels are returning to normal.

The football pitch, for several months deemed unsafe to play on due to subsidence and poor surface is now back in action.

Work is due to begin on a new play area in Victoria Park in April, and construction has begun on a new £200,000 skatepark, which sits slightly further north the existing skating facility.

Both structures, having moved north, will free up space for the pavilion, should the project eventually go ahead.