Another UK town centre is being given a new lease on life with a transformational £17million cash injection. Councils across the country are striving to cultivate happy town centres with tight-knit community. The latest is a large sum of cash destined for Denton, Greater Manchester to turn it into a “greener, safer and more vibrant town”. Almost £17million in improvement works are due to get underway before March next year, having been approved last week, reported Manchester Evening News.
The scheme is funded by the council’s Levelling Up pot and is supplemented by additional funds from Transport for Greater Manchester. The plans include safer walks to school for kids and planting trees along “green corridors”.
According to the council, the proposals were shaped by community engagement. Residents prioritised improved transport, youth facilities, safety measures and green spaces.
Around 1.1 kilometre (0.7 miles) of new pedestrian and cycle routes will be introduced, and “climate resilient” planting will take place along Queen Street and other key roads.
The plan was designed by Planit with input from Civic, PLACED, Placemarque, SFP, and the council.
The plans locals can expect to benefit from first include better connections between Civic Square and Victoria Park by relocating parking bays and adding rain gardens.
Victoria Park will see maintenance work with updated heritage boards and community artwork on display to boost pride and reflect local identity.
Manchester Road will have traffic calming measures and redesigned road junctions that prioritise pedestrians.
There are also plans to extend Civic Square, “re-imagine” Market Street, provide new public space on Queen Street that provides a new setting for Festival Hall, and transform several streets into child-friendly school streets.
Deputy leader and executive member for growth, housing and homelessness, Coun Andrew McLaren said: “The plans represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Denton town centre. They reflect what residents told us they want.”
