Project Champion: Tom Lonsdale

Aim:

To creat high quality public spaces in the village centres which consider parking, paving, disabled access, public art and street furnature.

Achievements to date:

Preliminary analysis of traffic management options considered by sub-consultants under the SDF study.

Favourable response in outline at public feedback event in Slaithwaite

Targets for the next twelve months:

Develop brief for traffic management analysis and environmental improvements.

Seek Yorkshire Forward approval to funding for consultancy support.

Agree working arrangements with Kirklees Council to ensure smooth transition into adoption for ongoing maintenance.

Select and appoint most appropriate multi-disciplinary design team, comprising Landscape Architect, Transportation Planner/Highway Engineer and Quantity Surveyor.

Develop detailed design proposal through a series of community workshops.

Secure funding to proceed with implementation.

The major challenges of the project to date have been:

Early indications have been that the type of work does not ideally match Yorkshire Forward’s criteria for funding priority. There has also been uncertainty about the relationship between the village centre enhancements and major development initiatives such as New Mills in Brougham Road, Marsden and Globe Mill, Slaithwaite.

The following documents have been produced as a result of this project:

First draft of outline brief has been prepared by the Steering Group and is currently being considered by Kirklees and Yorkshire Forward