The Proposal

Wakefield Council is seeking to bring about improvements to the quality of the public spaces and places across the Wakefield district. High quality public spaces and streets (the public realm) are important in helping create successful, popular and safe towns and cities.

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

The aim is to create a high quality, well designed focal point for Wakefield which will include a central water feature, wider pavements, improved seating, a range of new lighting and new hanging baskets. The impact of cars will also be reduced throughout the area and pedestrian priority crossing points will be provided. The project is being led by Wakefield Council’s Urban Centres Management Team (UCM) working with colleagues in Transportation and Highways.

As a result of the availability of funding for the refurbishment of the Bull Ring area and the construction timetable of neighbouring Trinity Walk scheme, a phased approach is being taken to deliver the overall Bull Ring scheme. Phase 1 will focus on the Bull Ring area. It is hoped that the other phases will be completed over the next five years subject to the availability of funding.

Consultation

The Wakefield Speaks events which took place in October 2006 and 2007 provided an opportunity for people to tell us what they thought about the Bull Ring, Westmorland Street and The Springs. The feedback, which we 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 for a public consultation event that took place on 9 March 2007 at 32 Westmorland Street. It was a great success and 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 concept design that has now been agreed.

Development of the Final Design and Construction

The final concept design was agreed in May 2007 and since then the Council has been developing the detailed design ready for the construction. Current plans are for work to start on the first phase around March 2008 with construction work continuing through into 2009. It should be noted that at present the start date is only proposed, as there are still a wide range of issues that need addressing before the work can start.

Refurbishments are also proposed along Union Street to be implemented by the developers of the Trinity Walk scheme. This work is being coordinated with the construction of the new market hall and the area outside it. The Trinity Walk scheme will include a market hall, retail precinct (including Sainsbury, Debenhams, Next and TK Maxx) and a central public library. The scheme is scheduled to open in 2010.

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