Tamworth town centre gateway scheme enters new phase

PEOPLE in Tamworth are being asked for their views on plans to improve the gateway areas between the railway station and the town centre.

The area is being improved as part of a wider project to improve transport links in the borough as a whole.

The latest phase of the project will see enhancements to Victoria Road taking in its junctions with Bolebridge Street, Marmion Street, Albion Street and Alexandra Mews.

The Tamworth Linkages project is a partnership between the county and borough councils. Last year saw the first phase of improvements, enhancing the route between the town centre and Ventura Park for pedestrians and cyclists.

The £500,000 project included laying new surfacing with flagstones and gravel, new bollards and heritage style lighting as well as the recent works to improve the access in to Ventura Park.
 
Cllr Mark Winnington, Staffordshire’s economy, environment and transport leader, said: “We’re pleased people got involved in the design process – it’s important to take on board the views of the community to get this right. We have been encouraged by the suggestions put forward and wherever possible have incorporated them into the design.

“It means we can now move forward with these improvements in the summer. Victoria Road provides the main pedestrian route from the rail station to the town centre and we want people’s first impressions of Tamworth to be good. This scheme forms part of our wider regeneration package for the town. We are working closely with the borough council to make it a great place to live, work, visit and invest.”
 
Tamworth Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration Steve Claymore said: “The linkages project is a crucial part of our long-term, ongoing work to improve and regenerate Tamworth town centre and I am pleased to see that the second phase is imminent.

“The project aims to provide an attractive and welcoming link between the town centre, Ventura Park and the railway station, which will encourage people to make the most of what Tamworth has to offer.

“This sits alongside a wide range of public and private sector regeneration projects, both ongoing and in the pipeline, to secure the future of the town centre.”
 
The plans are available by visiting:  www.staffordshire.gov.uk/tamworth-phase-2