LONG-DELAYED work to Selby Abbey’s precinct will start later this month – on top of major roadworks already under way in Gowthorpe.

The £1.4 million renaissance scheme was due to start at the end of October, but just before the start date the project was delayed by “additional pre-contract negotiations”, according to district council leader Mark Crane.

At the time, Coun Crane said it would have been possible to begin the £1.4 million scheme in December, but the decision was taken to postpone the work until the new year so as not to put off Christmas shoppers from using the town centre.

Then the scheme was hit by further delays after it emerged vital materials had been held up in transit from China.

Now Selby District Council has announced the renaissance work to redesign the abbey precinct area, with new paving and increased pedestrian access, will start on Monday, March 23.

Retailers have complained that roadworks being carried out on Gowthorpe have left the town centre deserted and have hit their sales.

But Coun Crane said: “As we’ve seen with the work that’s already started on Gowthorpe, Selby town centre very much remains open for business.

“Some people foresaw traffic chaos and disruption, but the measures put in place to make sure access remains open at all time are working and people can get to the town centre shops and offices without any trouble.

“I believe any short-term disruption will be worth it in the end, as we’ll have a town centre to be extremely proud of. This will help to draw in future investment, supporting businesses in the long term.

“It will also make Selby a destination for visitors as well as encouraging local residents to use their local services. All of this benefits our local economy at this important time.”

However, opposition leader Steve Shaw-Wright said Coun Crane was “living in cloud-cuckoo land”.

“Access to Gowthorpe is open, and you can drive along it in one direction,” he said. “But other than that, I think Mark Crane is looking at another Selby. The people I’ve spoken say there is no trade going on. People are still visiting the supermarkets, but they’re avoiding the town centre.”