Work on ‘truly exciting’ new Nottingham gateway to kick off in August

Nottingham City Council is to press ahead with work to create a new public realm entrance to the southern end of the city – despite the uncertainty surrounding the redevelopment of the intu Broadmarsh shopping centre.

Last Friday afternoon, intu suddenly announced that it would be closing the Broadmarsh to visitors because of “safety issues”.

intu is currently thought to be fighting off administration.

Despite this, the City Council has issued a new set of illustrations outlining ambitious plans to start the wholesale development of a new public gateawaty to the city, starting in August.

The new green, pedestrian-friendly public space for the city centre – involving the most significant changes to a city centre road layout for 15 years – is being funded through the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund, approved by Nottingham City Council’s Executive Board last week for Nottingham and Derby and D2N2, the Local Enterprise Partnership. The scheme has attracted over £20m of Government funding and the traffic changes will come into effect on the weekend of 8-9 August.

Once complete, these major works will see:

– Collin Street closed to all traffic
– Canal Street, between Middle Hill and Greyfriar Gate, become a two-way restricted area for buses and wheelchair accessible taxis
– The Greyfriar Gate junction modified to accommodate both north and southbound traffic, linking Maid Marian Way with Wilford Street, Canal Street and Castle Boulevard
Middle Hill become two-way from Canal Street to enable access into the Lace Market.

Preparatory works are currently underway on Greyfriar Gate to facilitate Collin Street’s closure in August and the council says details of the works will be fully communicated as they progress.

Drivers normally using these routes to travel west to east and east to west will instead be directed to use the Southern Relief Route, which runs from London Road to Wilford Street past Nottingham Station. The City Council is confident this route can handle the traffic demands, as it did when Canal Street was closed to traffic in Summer 2019 while major gas works were carried out.

The redevelopment of the whole Broadmarsh area includes a new Broadmarsh Car Park and Bus Station, Central Library, Nottingham Castle visitor experience and Nottingham College City Hub and reimagined public realm, along with the now “paused” intu Broadmarsh development.

These schemes will bring forward a dedicated cycle facilities on Canal Street. The work will also provide a new public space between the new college, shopping centre, Nottingham Central Library and Nottingham Castle, with spaces for outdoor seating, food and drink in Carrington Street.

The Sussex Street area, between Middle Hill and the new Nottingham College City Hub will be transformed into a brighter, amphitheatre style space, with steps from Middle Hill to Sussex Street with new spaces for activity and exercise for young people, including skateboarding. These public spaces will be capable of hosting major events in the day and night.

Councillor David Mellen, leader of the City Council, said: “The City Council has long been committed to a transformation of the Broadmarsh area to extend the city centre southwards, creating a fantastic new public space for residents of Nottingham and visitors to the city. While we are continuing to find a way forward for intu Broadmarsh, it’s important that we move ahead with the rest of our exciting and transformational plans for the area. These plans are radical in how they change the roads and will take a little while to get used to, but I am certain that our plans for this new area will be greeted enthusiastically.

“We have heard what people have said about wanting more greenery in the city centre and have committed to this with green space proposals throughout Carrington Street, Collin Street and Middle Hill, and a beautiful new space between the Sussex Street entrance to intu Broadmarsh and the new Nottingham College site and less traffic in the area contributing to a more pleasant and healthier environment. I am pleased these plans have attracted the Government’s backing from its Transforming Cities Fund. Our plans for the entire Broadmarsh area kickstarted our £2 billion ambitions for the Southside area, with new developments underway or forthcoming at Unity Square, City Buildings, the Island Quarter and at Broadmarsh West.

“This is a truly exciting time for Nottingham and these changes will transform Nottingham for the better, creating economic growth, jobs and attracting more visitors to the city.”

Councillor Adele Williams, portfolio holder for public transport, said: “These are dramatic changes to the roads in Nottingham – but all for the better to meet our carbon neutral targets and to create a great new environment for local residents and visitors to the city. The location of the Bus Station, close to Nottingham Station and tram stops, is a key location for this city and will provide excellent connectivity for citizens and visitors. The changes also significantly improve people’s ability to enjoy and cross the city centre by bike or on foot.

“Local people have been incredibly patient while we undertake these transformations, and the changes in the area already show that our plans are drastically improving the Broadmarsh area. We are letting people know about these changes as early as possible to keep the public informed so they can begin to plan their journeys better with these changes in mind – changes which I can’t wait to be completed given the improvements it will bring to our city centre.”