HAVELOCK Square was being dug up again this week just months after an £850,000 revamp which started at the beginning of this year and finished in the summer.

Supply issues meant that the new hi-tech lighting in the newly planted trees could not be completed along with the rest of the work when the square reopened fully to pedestrians in August following the eight month revamp.

The project, funded by contributions from housing developers around the borough, got underway in January to install new seating, paving, lighting and trees. It was originally anticipated to be completed by late May, but workmen remained on site throughout the summer.

The work began with the removal of the square’s eight plane trees, which were planted in the early 1970s.

They have been replaced with eight acacia trees which were already be between five and six metres high when they were put in earlier this year. They have been planted in a way that will prevent the roots damaging and lifting the paving surface as they grow, unlike the existing trees.

The work also saw the relocation of an eight-foot statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel around the square, with him now facing towards the former Swindon railway works beyond The Brunel Shopping Centre.

But work to install the new lights overran, resulting in workmen having to return to the square this week to continue the work on the project.

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “The majority of the improvements to Havelock Square were completed in August, but the final phase to install the lighting has over-run due to an issue with a couple of overseas suppliers who did not have the correct parts in stock.

“Our contractor is currently finishing off this work and the square remains open to pedestrians.

“New lantern heads are being installed and distinctive lighting will be added to the trees in the run-up to Christmas.”

The masterplan itself covers five areas of the town - the centre, the County Ground, Old Town, North Star and the railway heritage quarter.

The project by the borough council, private developers, community groups and Swindon College is to promote economic growth in the town.