THE regeneration of a former shopping centre in Rawmarsh will be back under way in the new year after a stalemate over mobile phone masts was broken.
MP John Healey and Rawmarsh councillor Simon Evans launched a campaign and petition to get the three masts removed from the Bellows Road site.
Demolition stopped because phone companies EE and Hutchinson had failed to agree to the masts being relocated.
Rotherham Council has made several attempts over the last year to get things moving – including threatening a compulsory purchase order.
Now legal documents have been signed and work can begin on the new mast on Barbers Avenue. After this, the masts on the shopping centre will be taken down and demolition and redevelopment is expected to restart in January 2016.
Cllr Evans said: “I am pleased to see the phone companies have finally done the right thing and stopped dragging their feet.
“It angers me that these companies miles away were able to halt such an important regeneration project in Rawmarsh.”
Mr Healey said: “I’ve been involved with the Bellows Road project for several years, and helped residents and councillors overcome a number of obstacles in that time.
“I was concerned to hear about another delay so I’m glad the phone companies have bowed to pressure from us and the council, and that work will start again soon.
“We want this development to go ahead to bring new jobs and housing to Rawmarsh.”