Norwich's Hay Hill reopening held up amid bitter dispute

Hay Hill was supposed to reopen to the public earlier this year, but metal fences still surround the site and little work has taken place in recent weeks.

And it has emerged a contractual wrangle over the work, which started in April last year, has plunged the project into limbo.

Norwich City Council is paying for the revamp of the city centre space, close to Next, Primark, McDonald's and St Peter Mancroft Church.

The contractors are Tarmac, with Norfolk County Council instructing and supervising through its contract with them.

But City Hall and the contractors are at loggerheads over some of the work done, with the county council involved in attempts to resolve the situation.

There have been a string of time extensions to the £3.2m Norwich Hay Hill revamp project (Image: Dan Grimmer)

The stand-off means the project has dragged on, with extensions to the timescale and still no confirmed opening date.

All parties were reluctant to answer questions about the increasingly acrimonious dispute.

A spokeswoman for Tarmac said: "Everyone involved in the Norwich Hay Hill project has been working collaboratively to complete the finishing touches on what is a fantastic project and to give an important part of the city centre back to the public as soon as practicable.

"The work is now very near completion, and as a result, we do have a reduced presence while carrying out the necessary electrical and other testing, including the commissioning of the fountains, before reopening the site."

Work on Hay Hill started in April last year (Image: Dan Grimmer)

A Norwich City Council spokeswoman said: "We are very much looking forward to the re-opening of Hay Hill.

"We would like to thank our residents and businesses for their patience whilst work has been progressing."

A visualisation of how Hay Hill will look once the work is complete (Image: Norwich City Council)

The county council confirmed it was talking to Tarmac on behalf of the city council.

Work on Hay Hill started in April last year (Image: Denise Bradley)

The revamp includes improved seating, better-designed steps, plants and a water feature.

The marble brain and other 'Homage to Sir Thomas Browne' sculptures, have been moved to Eaton Park.