PROBLEMS with standing water on newly relaid parts of Boston Market Place will be resolved, those behind the £2million refurbishment project have pledged.

A number of readers have contacted the Target regarding the pools of water which quickly collect at the Strait Bargate end of the Market Place each time it rains.

There have also been concerns raised about the new Yorkstone paving slabs being slippery particularly in wet or frosty conditions.

One shopper, Anthea Smith, told the Target: "It's a real nightmare walking across the Market Place in the rain.

"If you are not dodging puddles, you are struggling to stand on the new cobbles. It's all very well paying all this money to spruce up the Market Place, but what's the point if it's not safe to walk on?"

Responding to these concerns, Lincolnshire County Council's senior development officer Amanda Bond said: "The paving meets all the necessary safety standards and has been widely used across the county.

"All pavements can be somewhat slippery when icy, and pedestrians everywhere need to take care on frosty mornings.

"We'll be looking into the standing water near Strait Bargate. However, we suspect this issue will be resolved once the drainage works have been completed on site."

Meanwhile Ms Bond revealed the project, which is being carried out for the county council by contractors Ringway, remains on course to be completed on schedule.

She said: "The improvements are progressing well, and we're on track for a spring finish, though this will depend on the weather. Since Christmas we've been concentrating on the east of the Market Place, south of Dolphin Lane, but will soon move over to the west side and the Fish Hill area.

"With the exception of some outstanding works to the northern end, that will just leave the improvements that need to be made in front of the Exchange Buildings and the resurfacing of the adjacent section of South Street."