CONCERNS have been raised that work to repair Church Street in Norton is running over schedule.

The work, which began in the middle of October, was scheduled to take eight weeks, with a diversion in operation from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Once the Church Street repairs are finished, the county council will be resurfacing Wold Street, Nicholas Street and Langton Road to the junction with Wood Street.

However Mayor of Norton, Councillor Ray King said the council had received numerous complaints from local residents about the work and the length of time it appeared to be taking.

He said: "There doesn't appear to be any joined up thinking on this with work now underway on the footpath across County Bridge as well.

"We have received concerns that not a lot of work seems to be going on as well as the poor standard of workmanship. There is also a very poor traffic control system in place with one person sat in a van all day with the engine running who just gets out to move a cone. It is ridiculous."

Cllr King said: "With the work now going on with the footpath on the bridge it had become quite lethal for pedestrians and nothing is being done to assist them to get across the road."

Cllr Philip Mooring said a number of people had commented on the standard of the new footpath in Church Street.

"They are uneven and some appear to be lifting," he added. "I hope someone will inspect the work before it is finished."

However, Cllr David Lloyd-Williams said at least the work was now being carried out.

"It has been a long time company and at least the road is now going to be repaired," he added.

"They have also managed to keep it open at weekends and during the evening."

A North Yorkshire County Council spokesman said: “There are some issues with the quality of some of the work already done, but these are being dealt with by our contractor. We will not accept any work that is below standard.

"The programme has slipped back slightly but is progressing as swiftly as possible given the constraints of the site and the requirement that the contractor keeps certain business accesses open.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience caused and we are working hard to get these essential works completed as quickly as possible.’’