TAXI DRIVERS are fuming after problems with the St George’s Square building work were blamed on them.
Newly-paved parts of the square have re-opened, after months behind barriers.
But it has been suggested that excessive numbers of taxis have already damaged the flags.
However, cabbie Lakhvir Singh said some flags were already damaged when laid.
“There is no damage done by taxis, there are lorries coming here for deliveries, so maybe it was them.”
There is only permission for eight taxis to be in the square.
Mr Singh said: “We need to be here because taxis are leaving so often that we have to be waiting to replace them.”
Despite the completion of 300 sq metres of walkway, many are doubting the work will be finished soon.
Alex McNeil, a partner at Bramleys estate agents on Railway Street, said: “It looks a lot better now the flagging is done, but there’s still a lot of detail left to fill in.”
Even builders on the site are beginning to question when work will end.
One, who did not want to named, said: “It is supposed to be the end of the month when the flagging is done but we have still to do the grouting. We’re a good few months away yet.”
The £4m development has encountered problems since work began last May, with contractor Wrekin Construction going into administration, forcing Kirklees Council to take on the job itself.
But Clr Christine Stanfield, Kirklees Council Cabinet member for regeneration, insisted progress was good.
She said: “We have opened up the access road in front of the George Hotel and workers are busy ducting the pipework around the fountain’s underground control room.
“All the underground chambers and tree grills in the main plaza will soon be completed.”
Clr Stanfield did admit the problems have not disappeared completely: “Work has been hampered somewhat by the wet weather.
“In response we are setting on two extra flag grouting machines – this means we will soon have eight staff dedicated to this laborious process.”
