NEGOTIATIONS surrounding the controversial delay to works on Evesham's Abbey Bridge are still on going, it has been revealed.

Worcestershire County Council is still in talks with Hochtief, who won the contract to build the new Abbey Bridge, but suffered substantial delays in the length of time it took not only to complete the project but also to the time the bridge was closed completely to traffic.

Because of the delays the bridge builder was hit with penalty fees said last year to be more than £250,000 by Worcestershire County Council.

Now people are calling for the total amount paid by Hochtief to be revealed and they want to know where it will be spent.

But the council has said they are still in negotiations with the contractor.

A council spokesperson said: "Negotiations between the contractor and Worcestershire County Council have not yet concluded. The financial consequences of the delay are part of the negotiations."

This comes after local people began voicing their concern about where the money would go when it was paid on social media site Facebook.

Pete Boyles, of Charity Crescent, Evesham, raised the issue on Facebook.

Speaking to the Journal, he said: "Disappointed that it has taken so long and don't understand why there is an issue and lawyers wrangling over it.

"From what I understand from councillors posts on Facebook, there was a daily penalty. Therefore if Hochtief were 'X' amount of days over contract, then what they pay should be straightforward or I have misunderstood the penalty clause?

"If the lawyers drag it out long enough, then there won't be much left in the penalty pot to do any good work in the town with."

Other comments online asked the same questions, adding that the money belonged to the public, and they deserved to know what was going on.

Evesham town councillor Andrew Dyke, who also took part in the online discussion, said afterwards: "I must admit I am surprised it's taking as long as it is. I understand the legals are involved and these things take time, but I would've thought some decision or interim payment could've been made by now because there are people who are expecting some money to the town, which was promised. people are getting fed up.

"I sympathise with that, it's a shame really. Evesham Town Plan is coming to the town council in the next few weeks and the council will be asked to put into operation what the people want."

There were also concerns about the lack of cycle path on the bridge but the council said there was never an intention for a dedicated cycle path over the bridge.