A MAJOR project to refurbish one of Worcester’s busiest shopping streets is approaching its conclusion.

Improvements on The Shambles and Church Street have continued apace following the completion of the works on Church Street at the end of July.

Since then, the new footway and kerbing has been installed at the junction of Trinity Street and St Swithin’s Street.

The remaining footway and kerbing works at the south end of The Shambles have also been completed.

Over recent weeks, the old central carriageway block paving has been removed and resurfacing work starts this week.

The resurfacing work is in its final stages, and all that remains after that is the installation of new street furniture and the planting of new trees.

Work began in the middle of March following the completion of major works carried out in the area by Severn Trent Water.

The scheme is being delivered by Worcestershire County Council in partnership with Worcester City Council who is jointly funding the project. Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) is also involved.

Cllr Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for economy and infrastructure, said: “It’s great that work on The Shambles and Church Street is nearly finished.

“The area is looking fantastic This scheme provides further evidence of the investments being made to improve the city and town centres across Worcestershire.”

Phoebe Dawson, chief executive at Worcester BID, said: “We’re delighted to have worked alongside Worcestershire County Council and Worcester City Council to ensure our businesses were kept up to date with progress throughout the improvement works to The Shambles and Church Street.

“This is another example of the level of investment being made to freshen-up key areas within the city.”

As the work has progressed, contractors have been careful to ensure that access to businesses in the streets has been impeded as little as possible.