Let's work together: Partnership to improve canalside areas
A PARTNERSHIP between three local groups has been suggested to create an attractive gateway site to increase footfall in Todmorden town centre.
Todmorden Pride, Calderdale Council and Todmorden town council are looking at working together to make improvements to the canal towpath by the Lever Street car park and create a new access point to the Oxford Street car park.
The groups hope this will attract more visitors into the town centre and increase the number of people going to Bramsche Square and the market.
David Storah, from Todmorden Pride, and Anne Holdsworth, environmental projects officer from Calderdale Council, outlined the proposals at last week's Todmorden town council amenities committee meeting.
Mr Storah said the project is looking to improve the canalside in Todmorden by creating disabled access to the canal bank, providing new paving and additional planting.
He said: "We want to improve that part of town to show there's a start being made on a small part of the town while discussions are going on about the main central area.
"Todmorden Pride and other agencies have done Fielden Wharf and we felt that the other side of the canal is in need of some treatment.
"There's an initiative by British Waterways and Upper Calder Valley Renaissance to improve the canal so we have this chance to make an access off Oxford Street which will improve footfall in that part of the town, we hope.
"We will also improve Lever Street because we want to make it more attractive and form a gateway to the entrance to Bramsche Square and to the market hall.
"We hope to continue, in a small way, the ongoing improvements to the town.
"What we are wanting to do is set a standard, improve the town and make it more attractive."
Mr Storah said the part of the scheme focusing on the towpath between the Lever Street car park and Library Lock is ready to be sent out for tender.
He felt that the plans had been well received by the town council.
"It's a chance for everybody to improve the town. By working in partnership, work will be carried out to carry on the improvements that have already been made in the town centre.
"I think it's something that needs encouraging."
During the presentation, Mr Storah also outlined other areas for possible improvement work to be carried out, including parts of Lydgate and Cornholme.
Town clerk Catherine Emberson said the town council was open to working with the two groups to carry out the improvement work.
She said: "In general, it was felt there was scope for the town council to contribute funding to some or all of the schemes.
"Full costings and timescales would have to be formally submitted for consideration of possible town council funding.
"Todmorden town council hopes to work in partnership with them for some or all of the projects."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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