WILMSLOW’S new £3million multi storey car park is taking shape on Spring Street.

And contractor, Alderley’s Peter Jones Contracts Ltd, is confident it will be complete by next January.

Town centre councillor, Wesley Fitzgerald, leader of Macclesfield Borough Council took a tour of the site with company boss Peter Jones and other senior figures.

Coun Fitzgerald said: "Given the significance of this project to the people of Wilmslow, it was vital that the tender was cost-competitive and that the works would be managed in a professional and timely fashion.

"I am pleased work is progressing smoothly and I am confident that Jones Contracts will deliver to the timescales and quality of build agreed.

"This project is vital to our borough car parking strategy and is one of our biggest investments in the town so I know it will have a positive impact once completed."

The £3million project is a joint venture between Macclesfield Borough Council and Orbit, a subsidiary of Jones’ Emerson Group.

The borough awarded the contract to build the 416 space site to PE Jones Contracts (Manchester) Ltd following a competitive tendering process.

Construction of a seven level multi-storey car park includes 22 disabled users’ spaces, lifts, ramps, an attendant's office, storage, and CCTV.

Orbit is funding a quarter of the construction costs and will retain 100 of the spaces for its own tenants.

Work began in May 2007 and is expected to be complete by January 2008, with some of these spaces scheduled for completion in time for the 2007 Christmas shopping rush.

Paul Burgess, board director of The Emerson Group, said: "Our team is working well given the constrained conditions of Spring Street and the inclement weather over the summer.

"We are experienced in this type of construction project and our aim is to deliver the project on time whilst causing the minimum disruption to Wilmslow residents and its visitors.

"This new car park will make a big difference to Wilmslow and we have had extremely positive feedback from many business owners who believe it will improve trade."