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Friday
8th August 2003
Ambitious park plans for Worcester |
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| Artist's
impression of the event area |
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New
riverside gardens on the site of the existing lorry park at Croft
Road and a scheme to divert traffic to run under a second railway
arch is one of a range of projects included in an ambitious package
of plans for Worcester’s parks. |
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Planners have been working with consultants Plincke Landscapes to
provide ‘a fresh look’ for Worcester’s two main parks at Cripplegate
and Gheluvelt, and suggestions drawn from a week-long public ideas-gathering
event in March have also been included in the biggest-ever re-think
of the City’s parks.
| Highlights
of the scheme for Cripplegate Park |
- skateboarding
park
- ramped
river viewing platform
- landscaped
‘events space’ with seating and viewing platforms
- establishment
of café within night club facility
- fountain
refurbishment to full working order
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creation of two children’s play areas ‘to inspire their
imagination’
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Also included
in the line-up of proposals is a complete restoration of the 150-year
old Cripplegate fountain; major upgrading of walkways and play equipment
at both sites; skate park, river-viewing platform and events amphitheatre
for Cripplegate, and the re-establishment of a historic footbridge
over Barbourne Brook linking the existing park at Gheluvelt with the
3 ha extension on the former waterworks site where the pumphouse is
currently being transformed into an environment and conservation centre.
A new cycleway linking the two parks is also included, alongside the
creation of new footbridge spanning the Severn to link the landscaped
extension to Gheluvelt Park with the City’s westside – though, say
planners, unlike the parks proposals a start on the new bridge is
unlikely to be included in this year’s programme.
The creation of a new wetlands area at the north end of Pitchcroft
designed to encourage more wildlife and wading birds, and a riverside
promenade in Hylton Road is also envisaged – with present car parking
spaces switched to an expanded car park area with access off Tybridge
Street.
| Highlights
of the scheme for Gheluvelt Park |
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improved play area and enhanced paddling pool to include
interactive water play activities
- bridge
link to the bandstand l ornamental pond to increase wildlife
diversity
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new cycle and footbridge over the Severn
- creation
of a skatepark
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Roadshows
People living in the city are being given their chance to comment
on the plans in a week-long series of exhibitions running across the
City.
Planners are due to unveil the multi-million pound scheme to councillors
on Friday the 15th of August followed by three public exhibitions
starting on Saturday the 16th of August at the Guildhall.
The travelling roadshow then moves to St Johns Sports centre for a
week-long exhibition (18th-22nd August) finalising in an all-day event
in the Sons of Rest Pavilion in Gheluvelt Park on August the 23rd.
Young people's ideas
The City Council’s Head of Cultural Services Alan Stuttard commented
this week that many of the ideas included in the scheme came from
the public – and that young people from the City played a key role
in formulating the package of plans.
"We had terrific response from the public when we held a week-long
public consultation exercise during March.
"When we asked them just what kind of things they’d like to see
in Worcester’s parks, they responded with a whole range of very good
ideas – many of which we’ve been able to include in a package of proposals
that will have an impact on the whole issue of leisure in Worcester."
he said.
The role of young people in formulating ideas for the scheme has also
been highlighted by Council leader Stephen Inman, Chairman of the
Riverside Steering Group.
"By any standards, this is a major task and we’re delighted by the
response and recommendations from local people.
"From the outset we felt strongly that young people in particular
should have a say – and we listened to them.
"The travelling roadshow now gives us yet another opportunity to gauge
public reaction to the schemes proposed before making a bid for Lottery
funding for up to 66% of the envisaged cost" he said.
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