Farnworth £3 m redevelopment plans unveiled

The Bolton News revealed this week plans were being drawn up for Market Street and Coucill Square with a view to  transforming the public space outside Home Bargains, delivering better pedestrian and cycle facilities along Market Street, and  providing additional seating and more trees.

The work is part of a large multi-million pound project to revamp the town centre.

And the  project includes an event space and narrowing of the road to make it more pedestrian friendly.

The plans were on show in Farnworth on Friday as part of a public consultation where the designers explained the new £3M plans.

Consultancy firm Mott MacDonald were responsible for designing the scheme. Representatives from the firm spoke about the plans.

Transport planner for the firm, Emily Aldridge said: “What you see here on the board is an overview of the proposed design for the carriageway.

“There will be the narrowing of the road to create more space for pedestrians and cycle lanes to encourage and make it easier to cycle.

“There will also be a big events space in front of Home Bargains.”

The area of development will be on Market Street, from the junction of Frederick Street to the junction of King Street.

Civil engineering and design technician, Cameron Drury, aged 23, said: “We really tried to focus on how pedestrians can move without having to stop so many times, with things like raised ‘table crossings’.

L-R: Emily Aldridge, Cameron Drury and Alice Gallareto of Mott MacDonald, who were involved in the design of Market Street

“And with side roads also being raised, people can keep going.”

Emily added: “The other thing for people in wheelchairs or assisted mobility is that it can be difficult to move around in the area as it is.

“A level surface gives more power to people in wheelchairs and on foot. It lowers the space of vehicles and is designed more for people on foot."

Plans showing the layout of the new Market Street development

“And with side roads also being raised, people can keep going.”

Emily added: “The other thing for people in wheelchairs or assisted mobility is that it can be difficult to move around in the area as it is.

“A level surface gives more power to people in wheelchairs and on foot. It lowers the space of vehicles and is designed more for people on foot."

Read more: Multi-million plans to improve Farnworth Market Street

Transport and urban planner at the firm, Alice Gallareto, aged 30, said: “I can’t wait to take pictures of the real thing, not just a render. We do a lot of consultancies which aren’t always implemented, so it’s nice to do something that will be.”

Cameron added: “I’m excited to see it and hopefully make a difference.”

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Cllr Adele Warren, said:

“It is an exciting time for Farnworth with so many regeneration projects in the pipeline.

“From the beginning, we have involved residents in shaping the plans for Farnworth and we are keen for everyone to have their say on the Streets for All proposals.

“This will help make Farnworth a more accessible and enjoyable place to live, work and visit.”

The development comes under TfGM’s Streets for All scheme.

Representatives from Mott MacDonald and council staff will be on Brackley Street again today from  July 2 from 10am-3pm.

Renders of how the development will look

To take part in the onsultation visit https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/NPBSES.

Alternatively submit comments by email at consultation@bolton.gov.uk or can request a paper copy by contacting the consultation team at Bolton Council.

Representatives from Mott MacDonald and council staff will again be on Brackley Street today from 10am-3pm.