The email below is an answer to our complaint, which I was advised to pursue against the Regeneration Team at the Council. They are the lead organisation on this project. It looks like we're going to stage 2. 

 To whom it concerns,
                                  thank you for the answer by N Bryan to our complaint. It does indeed  reveal the problem, i.e. the lack of ability of the Regeneration team to be able to manage the tasks they have taken on, and their total lack of understanding of their need to accept the responsibility for the managing of the project, which they have admitted as much in their defence of the current status of the problem. I.e. That they did not do their due diligence on what was likely to be needed for this project before they started it.
 
i.e.  "Whilst constructing the Transport Hub and Thomas Brown Square, the council’s contractor discovered that Northern Powergrid’s (NPG) electricity cables had previously been laid too shallow in the ground......We were informed that due to the cable’s location above the Metro tunnel, and the restricted depth for any excavation works, NPG would need some time to assess the issue and find a suitable solution."

1.)DISCOVERED that the cables were shallow due to the Metro Tunnel.... I am well aware that there are archives etc, that surveyors, and council officers can consult, to update them on these matters, However, in this case,  as so many exasperated local residents and business have pointed out, the  obvious existence of the tunnel, and a casual glance at the tunnel, should have been a big enough indicator that  it was likely to affect the level of utilities in the area, so required a thorough examination of information on the problems with said utilities AND consultation with all  organisations involved,  BEFORE any works started., and is the bare minimum we, the council tax payers and business rate payers have every just reason to expect.

N Bryan himself now goes on to explain that they no longer have NPG to blame for their mismanagement, whilst still not covering the path.

"This work( the cable lowering ) was carried out over the weekend of the 27 and 28 July. NPG returned to site on Wednesday 31 July to complete the works and fill the opening." 

However,  your office has added insult to injury by NOT  immediately installing a covering for the  footpath, which you no longer have any no excuse for, and NOT  giving us a completion date,  

"Our contractor will now return to site to reinstate the footpath with the upgraded paving to match Thomas Brown square as soon as possible."

No, we need a covering for the footpath now, even if it's temporary,  as your "as soon as possible" might well be another year, judging by your recent performance. 
 
I wish this to be escalated to the next level.

Yours Sincerely

Roslyn Renwick