A main street running through an East Lancashire town is to be completely closed for more than three months while the council undertakes a £600,000 revamp of the area.
The revamp of Castle Street in Clitheroe is expected to take place between April and July this year, with a full closure of the road required for the duration of the works.
The work is part of a public realm improvement project being carried out jointly between Lancashire County Council and Ribble Valley Council.
A full closure of Castle Street will be required between April 15 to July 31, with pedestrian access maintained at all times and limited periods for shop deliveries.
The works will comprise of the narrowing and reconstruction of the carriageway, widening footways, and the removal of the step on Castle Street near the junction with Parsons Lane and Castle Gate.
The works will use high-quality materials for both footways and carriageway, along with new local signage, parking and loading restrictions, benches, bollards and other street furniture.
The improvements include disabled bays to improve access for disabled people who need to access the town centre.
County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick, cabinet member for highways and transport at Lancashire County Council, said: "These works will make one of the most prominent streets in Clitheroe more attractive and help to ease some of the parking issues that regularly get reported to us.
"We're not removing the parking altogether but prioritising the space for disabled residents who require easy access to the town centre.
"There will be some disruption while we carry out these improvement works, so I would just ask residents and businesses to please bear with us.
"I'd like to give special thanks to members of Clitheroe Town Team and the Clitheroe Civic Society, who were pivotal in making this project happen."
Ribble Valley Council leader Stephen Atkinson added: “Clitheroe is a lovely place to visit, and these improvements will make the town centre even more attractive and accessible.
“People have told us for many years that they want to see these improvements and we are delighted that this scheme is finally going ahead.”
In preparation for the works, a drop-in session will take place in Clitheroe next week offering residents and businesses a sneak preview of plans for the £600,000 revamp of Castle Street.
The session will take place at the Ribble Valley Council Civic Suite in Church Street, on Thursday (March 28), from 4pm to 6pm, where people will be able to view the plans and chat to the project team.
In a letter to businesses dated March 20, Nicola Hopkins, director of economic development and planning at Ribble Valley Council, said: “As I hope you are aware Lancashire County Council will be undertaking improvement works to the carriageway and footways along Castle Street.
“At the end of last week Ribble Valley Borough Council were informed that these works will commence on Monday April 15 and run until July 31, 2024, with the road closed to vehicles during this time. Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.
“I appreciate that the closure of Castle Street for this period will require adjustments particularly in respect of those businesses on Castle Street whose deliveries are directly from Castle Street.
“LCC have confirmed that the intention is to complete the kerbing and footways first, one side at a time.
“Individual doorway access will be maintained during shop hours and the carriageway will be available to allow deliveries.
“LCC intend to establish a schedule of deliveries with the businesses affected on Castle Street.
“If you are one of the businesses on Castle Street who will need to establish delivery arrangements, please can you contact Robert Simmons, operations manager (highways countywide projects) on Robert.Simmons3@lancashire.gov.uk at LCC to make suitable arrangements during the construction period.
“To enable all interested parties to view the plans in advance of works starting a public drop-in session has been arranged for 4-6pm on Thursday March 28, at RVBC Council Chamber, 13 Church Street, Clitheroe, BB7 2DD.
“Officers from LCC will be attendance to answer any queries you may have. The plans will be on display to view along with the palette of materials to be used.”
The £600,000 scheme is being funded jointly by Lancashire County Council and Ribble Valley Council.
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