THE weather in Barrow appears to be at 'fault' for a second delay on major works to fix Portland Walk car park.

While no-one denies that this catalogue of repairs is a massive project, blaming the rain is a curious justification for a town situated off the Irish Sea.

If you were being churlish, it would suggest that no-one considered that it rains in October.

And is the council seriously suggesting that the completion of this project rests on the vague hope of an Indian November?

Let’s hope not, because at this rate, the job may not be finished this side of the year and will be delayed a third time.

The thinking must have been that if the works were done during summer, it would hit trade.

Yet the town centre economy could now be affected in the key weeks before Christmas, which is far more important for traders looking to generate income to see them through January and February when the tax man cometh and the bills arrive.

The closure of the top deck of Portland Walk is a massive inconvenience and has meant that most of the empty parking places at the town hall are often occupied.

Could the council not waive parking charges until the job is done or open up the many unoccupied contract spaces?