Repairs at Barons Quay to get underway in the new year

Large parts of the centre have been covered in protective netting for almost two years now after defects were found in the glazing within years of it opening.

Now, developers Balfour Beatty have said that work to replace faulty glazing at the centre will get underway in the new year.

However, Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury is disappointed it has taken this long to sort out.

He said: “I had expected repair work to be carried out over the summer, so I made follow-up enquiries as not only myself but councillor Sam Naylor and, most importantly, constituents are annoyed with how long this is taking to put right.

“These delays are very frustrating.

“Bottom line is, serious defects should not be emerging just seven years after the shopping centre opened in 2016.”

Mr Amesbury, recently appointed Labour’s shadow minister for building safety, added: “I’m now being told by Balfour Beatty that it hopes to ‘commence works in the new year’ once the busy Christmas period is over.

“But I understand the legal agreement is still not signed by all parties and replacement panelling won’t be ordered until then. I’m not holding my breath regarding the timescale.”

ALSO READ: Pigeon dies after being trapped for two weeks in netting at Barons Quay

Broken paving stones on the Weaver Way service road (Image: Supplied)

The £80 Barons Quay development was commissioned by Cheshire West and Chester Council in 2014.

It opened in 2016 and just four years later, issues began to emerge.

Balfour Beatty said a naturally occurring impurity was likely causing a ‘very small proportion’ of the glass not to perform as expected.

Other defects included rainwater leaking into some of the units and broken paving stones on the Weaver Way service road.

Cllr Naylor, whose Witton ward covers the town centre, has been keeping up pressure on the developer to put matters right.

He said: “Soon after completion it became clear some of the workmanship in the construction of Barons Quay was either poorly designed or not up to standard.

“Many units had leaking roofs; the public realm on the Weaver Point Way service road is a disgrace and the faults in the glazing is another outstanding issue.

“The leaks have been sorted but the other defects remain unresolved. How long do we have to wait?”

On November 1, a spokesperson for Barons Quay told the Northwich Guardian that the glazing problems had been 'resolved' and that netting will would start 'slowly' being removed over the coming months.

However, the spokesperson now says that repair work is expected to begin in the new year.

"Negotiations regarding the defects to Barons Quay have been progressing steadily with the contractor Balfour Beatty and the agreement on the glazing is complete,” they said.

“Currently the council is investigating the most appropriate treatment to the glazing to ensure the health and safety of the users of Barons Quay whilst replacing the failed glazing panels in a timely manner. 

“The focus is for the replacement work to be completed in the new year."