Cold Snap Delays Peterborough Work

8 December 2010, 13:16 | Updated: 8 December 2010, 13:21

There are more delays to renovation work in Peterborough's Cathedral Square, and this time the cold weather is being blamed.

The materials that builders working on the project are using can only be used when temperatures climb above five degrees Celsius.

This means that the work is now likely to last into the new year.

Jeff Manners, senior engineer with Peterborough City Council, said:  "It is necessary to achieve temperatures of plus five degrees Celsius before we can consider using the cement-based mortars that provide a foundation for the granite and yorkstone paving.

The freezing conditions that swept the country over the past two weeks have forced the suspension of work, putting back our target completion date.  Obviously, once temperatures rise sufficiently the contractors will press on to complete the project.

This is very frustrating, especially following the delays caused by freezing conditions last winter.  However, we are at the mercy of the weather."

The work was originally supposed to be complete in November 2009.

Jeff Manners, senior engineer with the city council, said:  “It is necessary to achieve temperatures of plus five degrees Celsius before we can consider using the cement-based mortars that provide a foundation for the granite and yorkstone paving.

“The freezing conditions that swept the country over the past two weeks have forced the suspension of work, putting back our target completion date.  Obviously, once temperatures rise sufficiently the contractors will press on to complete the project.

“This is very frustrating, especially following the delays caused by freezing conditions last winter.  However, we are at the mercy of the weather.”