Major improvements that will encourage more shoppers and new businesses into Rushden town centre are fast taking shape.East Northamptonshire Council is pleased to confirm that work has already began on Phase 2 of the ambitious programme of improvements whilst the finishing touches are being applied to Phase 1, which has delivered a major upgrade to the southern ‘gateway’ entrance to the High Street.
As well as new street furniture, new heritage-style lighting will be installed to complete Phase 1 and it is envisaged that this part of the High Street will be re-opened to traffic in the week commencing 21 March.
Phase 2 of the improvement works will ensure the enhancement of Rushden continues apace and extends right up to the Wesleyan Church. Contractors are already on site and arrangements are in place to provide buses and other traffic continued access to the High Street via Coffee Tavern Lane and an exit through College Street.
Almost £1.5m has already been committed to creating a new look High Street for Rushden residents and stimulate further private sector investment in the town centre. Working in partnership with the North Northants Development Company (NNDC) East Northamptonshire Council secured £712,500 from the Government’s Growth Fund, which not only enabled work to begin on Phase 1 but has delivered the design for the whole of the High Street regeneration project.
In addition to its initial commitment of £785,000, East Northamptonshire Council’s Policy & Resources Committee will now consider whether to approve a further investment of up to £250,000 to ensure no time is lost delivering the next phases of this important project.
Councillor Steven North, Leader of East Northamptonshire Council,
"The original vision to create a more sustainable town centre came out of last year’s Enquiry by Design work by the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment which concentrated on connectivity to the town centre and focused improvement.
With this in mind, the project board has decided that funding would be best used and have the most impact if we concentrate on the High Street from the Southern gateway onwards and complete the link leading to the central church area. The intention is for East Northamptonshire Council to make available up to £250,000 extra from reserves to enable this to happen, subject to approval by the council’s Policy and Resources Committee on 14 March."
"The designs have been completed for the north end of the High Street and there is still a commitment to complete this work when further funding becomes available. We are continuing to liaise with all funding bodies to see if this money can be found."
Over the next few weeks discussions will take place with the traders about the impact the change will have, and arrangements for deliveries and access. The work is expected to be completed by the end of May 2011.