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| £1.5 million Pride Hill revamp - public get say Shoppers, residents and businesses in Shrewsbury will get a chance to shape plans for a possible £1.5million transformation of Pride Hill. Shropshire County Council is looking into a major refurbishment of the pedestrianised shopping street and researchers will be asking people in the street to fill in surveys. There will also be questionnaires available at stands in the Pride Hill and Darwin shopping centres and at the Chronicle’s Castle Foregate offices. People will be asked about the appearance of the street including issues such as litter, signs, seating and disabled access and the setting in relation to historic buildings. They can also say if they want to see additions such as public art and more street entertainers, market stalls, CCTV and a more spacious layout. The county council has already set aside £500,000 and the borough council £50,000 for a scheme, and it is believed private sector sources would be sought for a major revamp. The council has taken no decisions on funding yet but the consultation will help decide between essential maintenance, costing £400,000, or a large-scale scheme, costing between £1million and £1.5million. Plans will be drawn up and consulted on next year. Rob Surl, the county council’s head of transportation, said the council was working with the borough council, the town centre manager and the Pride Hill and Darwin shopping centres: “We need to know what people think,” he said. “If we can work together to agree the best scheme, we will be in a much stronger position to secure the funding needed for a major improvement, if this is what people want.” County councillor Martin Beardwell encouraged people to make their views known. County council consultants Mouchel Parkman will be carrying out the surveys and will be canvassing in the streets at lunch-times on Thursday and Friday. Forms are also available at the Guildhall, Shirehall and library and at www.shropshireonline.gov.uk by searching Pride Hill. |