LIVE POWER CABLES DELAY CITY'S CATHEDRAL GREEN DEVELOPMENT
Date : 10.04.08
The discovery of electrical cables has delayed the completion of the £3.8m regeneration of Cathedral Green.
Derby City Council has been in discussions with Central Networks over the future of an electrical cable junction box at the site.
The council wants to know whether the box, buried in brickwork close to the river bank, can be moved to a different location, kept in the same place or removed completely.
The box needs special attention for health and safety reasons because it provides electrical supplies to scores of Derby people.
But the council has admitted that these discussions have delayed the scheme and that it may miss its proposed late-summer completion date.
Chris Lee, development project officer with Derby City Council, said: "We have had problems with an electrical cable junction that is on an island at the site.
"We are in negotiations with Central Networks in Derby to see how this can be resolved."
The argument is the latest blow to hit the scheme, which was delayed for two days earlier this year when centuries-old human remains were found buried at the site.
Archeologists searched the site but no other body parts or anything of value was found.
A Derbyshire police spokesman said the bones were still in storage but no further forensic tests would be carried out on them due to their age.
The completed scheme, the brainchild of the city council and urban regeneration company Derby Cityscape, would create a pedestrianised open-air "relaxation area" for the public, together with a bridge linking the site with Stuart Street across the River Derwent.
Artist Nayan Kulkarni has been commissioned to create a special water-themed stone paving area at the site.
The paving, which will also incorporate lighting features, will be installed when the bridge is completed.
A competition will then be held for the public to name the bridge.
Sharon Stevens-Cash, communications manager with Derby Cityscape, said: "We see this scheme as a key open public space and as part of the effort in driving public regeneration strategy for the city centre.
"If we do not continue to improve these places, they will continue to degenerate.
"It's a public space for the people to enjoy and we are really excited about this project."
A spokesman for Central Networks was unable to confirm if its staff were working at the site.