Peoples views sought on making the town more pedestrian friendly

PEOPLE have the chance to give their views on plans to improve Royal Street, Regent Street South, Hanson Street and Eastgate in Barnsley town centre.

Consultation on public space improvements, including improved street furniture, lighting and public art, is taking place at Barnsley Interchange on Wednesday, 28 and Friday, 30 May between 10.30am and 4pm and Saturday, 31 May between 10am and 3pm.

The proposed scheme is being designed by Estell Warren Landscape and there will be an opportunity to look at images of suggested improvements and see the materials that will be used in the project. Following the consultation the final version of the scheme will be presented to Cabinet for approval and a bid for the funding (estimated at £2.3 million) will be submitted to Yorkshire Forward. If successful it is hoped that work would begin on site early 2009.

Cabinet Spokesperson for Development, Cllr Bill Newman, said: “This area of streets constitutes a significant portion of the pedestrian dominated part of town and one where the nature and scale of the framing buildings will set off improvements. The scheme will also complement the Civic and Mandela Garden scheme. The improvements will contribute to the renaissance of the town centre and make it more pedestrian friendly”.

Significantly, they will link the new Transport Interchange with The Town Hall, Barnsley College and as the central portion of the Will Alsop ‘green sprint’, will form an important walking route through the town centre to bus and rail connections.”

ENDS