Background

Wakefield Council is aiming to improve the public realm – the public spaces, places and streets - across Wakefield district. High quality public realm is important in helping to create successful, popular and safe towns and cities.

Work has now been completed on the refurbishment of the Crown Court Yard area (see under 'Current Projects') with the next scheme focusing on the Bull Ring, Westmorland Street, The Springs, Brook Street and Teall Street.

As a result of the availability of funding and the construction timetable of the adjacent Trinity Walk development a phased approach is being taken.

• Phase 1 covers the Bull Ring, The Springs North and Teall Street.
• Phase 2 covers Brook Street, Westmorland Street and The Springs South. 

The Council has secured all the funding for Phase 1 and work is now underway to create a new, high quality, well designed public space for Wakefield. This will include a central water feature, wider pavements, improved seating and a range of new lighting features. The impact of cars will be reduced throughout the area with pedestrian priority crossing points introduced, helping to create a safer, more attractive, city centre environment.

How the design was developed

The Wakefield Speaks events which took place in October 2006 and 2007 provided an opportunity for people to tell the Council what they thought about the Bull Ring, Westmorland Street and The Springs. The feedback received, helped shape the proposals for the area. The Council appointed Estell Warren, a firm of landscape architects based in Leeds, to develop a concept design for the area. The initial ideas that were produced were used as a basis for public consultation. There was strong support for the proposals with many positive contributions from people. The large amount of feedback and comments received helped shape the final agreed design.

The refurbishment of the area

The Council’s contractors, Jackson Civil Engineering (JCE), began work on Phase 1 on Monday 14 July 2008. Site preparation works along Westmorland Street, The Springs and within the Bull Ring are being carried out in advance of the main construction work starting on the Bull Ring. This first stage involves traffic signalling works to help manage the existing traffic regulation order and to improve pedestrian and bus movement on Westmorland Street and The Springs. The intention is to make the area more attractive and safer for pedestrians and help to attract more people into the area for businesses.

This is an exciting project for Wakefield, building on the success of the refurbishment of Crown Court Yard that has already won a number of awards. The improvement of this area is another key step in the regeneration of the city linking in with the other major developments that are either underway or soon to be completed. 

As a result of the work there may be some disruption in the area but the Council is aiming to work with businesses and residents to keep this to a minimum.

This page will be updated on a regular basis providing further information about the proposals and progress of the refurbishment of the Bull Ring.

If you have any further questions about the project please contact the Urban Centres Management Team of Wakefield Council on (01924) 304950.

Progress on site

Work started on site on Monday 14th July 2008.

Week 1 – The contractors started site preparation works for the traffic control system in the area. Linked to this, three trees at the bottom of The Springs were removed.

Week 2 – The contractors continued with site preparation work. Ducting work for the installation of the traffic control systems started along Westmorland Street and the contractors marked out the new road layout for phase one. 

Week 3 - The contractors continued to prepare the site for the traffic management system with ducting work on Westmorland Street and The Springs. Trees were removed from the central area and the top of Westmorland Street. Initial areas were marked out in the Bull Ring giving a clear idea of how the new layout will look.    

Week 4 – The contractors continued the ducting work at the bottom end of Westmorland Street after completing works at the top. The Bull Ring phase one area was prepared for the site hoardings to be installed for the main construction work to start.

Week 5 – The contractors installed site hoardings around the Bull Ring and information boards displaying details of site history, background, scheme proposals and business as usual information were attached to the hoardings. Work was ongoing clearing the site.

Week 6 – The contractors continued with the ducting along The Springs in preparation for the installation of the traffic management system. The traffic island along Westgate at the junction of Northgate was removed. Phase one site clearance progressed well with the planters and some paving removed from the central area.

Week 7 – The contractors ontinuined to clear phase one of the site. The old street furniture and most of the paving was removed from the central area. The conservation architects commissioned to relocate and restore Queen Victoria visited the site to undertaken a statue condition survey. 

Week 8 (week commencing 1st September 2008) – The contractors completed the site clearance in the Bull Ring and carried on with excavation and ducting works. Work continued on the preparations for the new traffic control system.

Week 9 - Site excavations have continued and the new drainage system has begun to be laid. Due to the discovery of poor quality ground conditions during the excavation, temporary changes to access the Cathedral Precinct during the hours of 10am and 4pm were required. This will continue through to Week 10. The co-operation of all those affected by these changes is appreciated.

Week 10 - The poor quality ground conditions meant that the time taken for the drainage excavation works had to be extended and for a three day period all vehicles had to access the Cathedral Precinct via Cross Square. The co-operation of all those affected by the changes was once again much appreciated. The construction work continued in line with the agreed timetable with further excavations needed for drainage. The first batch of granite was loaded in China ready for it to be laid later in the year.

Week 11 - The drainage works in the area around the entrance to the Cathedral precinct were completed and access to the precinct has returned to normal. Work is continuing on the drainage system within the central area. Other parts of the site have now been filled and levelled to create the new surface on which the paving will be laid. Excavations are needed in other areas for further drainage and for the installation of the water feature. Additional business as usual signs are being produced to remind people that all businesses on the Bull Ring, Union Street and Northgate continue to open as normal while the construction work is underway.

Week 12 - Contractors have relocated the CCTV camera to a temporary position so that drainage works could continue at the top of the site. Further excavations have taken place for deeper drainage systems and in other areas the new levels have been completed in preparation for the paving to be laid. A successful event was held at the Elizabethan Gallery on Union Street where people’s questions about the scheme were answered. The construction programme for the Bull Ring is running to schedule.

All the following businesses are operating as usual during the Bull Ring construction works;

WH Brown, WF One, Kall Kwik, The Money Shop, Beaumont, Strafford Arms, Reeds Rain, bru, Johnson’s Dry Cleaners, Ladbrokes, The Bull Ring House - CNM Limited, Colleys, Natural England, Yorkshire and Humber, Cafcass and Shaw Trust Employment.

Greggs, White Rose Opticians, Fast Frames, Farmfoods, Lloyds Pharmacy, New York Hair Salon, Olympia Leisure, Luana Café, Bolands Bar, Bus Station News Agents, William Hill, Novelty Gifts and Toys, One World Travel, Beauty on a Budget, The Sun Tan Centre and Sleek Hair Design, Constant Travel, Kingston, Diamond, Jewellers and Watches, Wishbone Ash and Wakefield Hospice.

Timpsons, The Raven, Yorkshire Bank, LloydsTSB, Costa, Toni and Guy, TDF, 1-3 Bull Ring - Everyday Loans, Adecco. Rouge Coffee & Lounge Bar, Tourist Information Centre, Central Buildings - Lawsons Solicitors, Fabiene Beauty Salon, Amicus Recruitment, Quest Consulting. Vegas Bar - Cafe, Help the Aged and Monkey.