Calderdale gears up for spring start on Halifax
Work is expected to begin in spring 2024 on the £11.7m public realm improvement programme around George Square and George Street, backed by the Future High Streets Fund.
As part of the regeneration of Halifax town centre, Calderdale Council is planning to create a new public square, events space and greener area in George Square and George Street.
The local authority wants to create a flexible new space for community events at the bottom of George Square, by removing the public toilets that have been closed since before the pandemic. Demolition notices are now in place on site.
Calderdale will also plant new trees, alongside the existing cherry trees, to make the area more attractive and calming. It will widen the footpaths to create more space for people to walk and sit, and give businesses the opportunity to provide outdoor seating.
Pay and display parking bays in George Square and George Street will be removed to make way for these improvements.
Cllr Tim Swift, Calderdale Council’s deputy leader with cabinet responsibility for Halifax masterplanning and regeneration, said:
“George Square is surrounded by beautiful, historic buildings and established businesses. With the planned improvements to pavements and greenery in place, it will make an excellent space for small outdoor community events and play its part in Calderdale’s ever-growing cultural programme.
“This will encourage more people to explore and spend time in this top part of the town centre. Along with the many other major projects going on across Halifax, it will help the high street to grow and thrive.”
The government’s Future High Streets Fund aims to renew and reshape town centres in a way that drives growth, improves experience and ensures future sustainability.
Calderdale received £18m from the FHSF in December 2020, to support town centre improvements in Halifax (£11.7m) and Elland (£6.3m).
In September, Eric Wright Civil Engineering was appointed on three projects within the Elland project.
In Halifax, the projects aim to upgrade and reinvent a number of the town’s distinctive assets, including the Victoria Theatre – on which Morris & Spottiswood has this month been appointed – and Halifax Borough Market, which IAG Developments has been working on.
Creating better connections between key destinations and landmarks will encourage people to walk around the town centre and discover new public spaces, the council said.
Work will begin in spring. Credit: Virtual Planit
