The council has ordered a full investigation into what has gone wrong with its unpopular £3.2m High Street redevelopment.

In a frank interview with the Sutton Guardian, Councillor Jayne McCoy, Sutton Council’s spokesperson for planning, economic development and housing, acknowledged there had been a number of problems with the controversial redevelopment and vowed to get to the bottom of it.

She said: “There is no denying we have had quite a few problems. The log benches were a big problem, and the delays.

“There are a number of reasons why the project has had problems and we are looking at what we can do to get the project completed.”

Councillor McCoy said an internal audit had already begun a full review so lessons could be learned for the future.

The redeveloped High Street was due to be completed in September but the project has been beset with delays, accidents and shoddy workmanship.

Transport for London, that funded the development, has changed its guidelines for giving guidance to major projects because of the extent things have gone wrong.

On October 21 an elderly lady was taken to hospital after she fell off one of the new log benches in the High Street.

A faulty locking mechanism caused the bench to swing away from under her. All the swing benches have now been taken away to be fitted with new locks.

On October 26 a market trader got an electric shock and was taken to hospital after works to power points were carried out as part of the redevelopment.

There have also been floods of complaints from residents about the uneven and mismatched paving, expensive children’s seating and the overall value for money of the High Street.

Councillor McCoy revealed it would now be January before the High Street is fully completed.

She said she was very frustrated but insisted the High Street represented value for money.

She said: “Investing in the town centre is very important to the future of Sutton. By making it look nicer it makes it more attractive for businesses. Not everyone likes it but if we listened to everyone we would change it every day.”