New Street
Work to prepare the site was completed in Summer 2022 and Virgin Media has now completed work re-routing cables.
The next phase will see a new lighting installation which includes new street lighting columns in different positions. The new lighting system will also supply an improved CCTV system, improving safety and aiming to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.
To maintain access to shops for customers and deliveries we're planning on working on short sections of the street at a time, this will be carried out in seven phases. We will keep local businesses informed of works as appropriate.
A key feature of the new space will be a poem by renowned Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, embossed onto the paving.
The work is set to be completed in Summer 2024.
Our exciting plans to rejuvenate New Street will provide attractive spaces with more opportunities for people to eat and socialise outdoors, as well as a flexible space for pop-up seasonal markets and other small scale temporary animations.
Creating a clean, attractive environment will increase footfall and encourage people to spend time in the area, which in turn will promote business growth and investment.
Ongoing work
Work has halted for the Christmas period, however, Virgin Media is still on site carrying out remedial work. No other work will happen until January 2023.
A new lighting installation will include New Street lighting columns in different positions. The new lighting system will also supply an improved CCTV system, improving safety and aiming to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.
To maintain access to shops for customers and deliveries we're planning on working on short sections of the street at a time. This will be carried out in seven phases. We will keep local businesses informed of work as appropriate.
A key feature of the new space will be a poem by renowned Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, embossed onto the paving.
The work is set to be completed in Summer 2024.
The story so far
Following consultation, at the end of 2019, we used the feedback to progress our plans to alter New Street from the junction with Ramsden Street to the junction with Market Place.
Our online events are over, but you can watch the Kirklees Public Consultation - New Street
Improvements
This area of New Street will become a ‘garden street’ with social, green areas and planting, complete with integrated seating and artwork. This attractive, green space supports a café culture, with more options for people to eat and socialise outdoors.
As well as raised planting areas and trees, we're introducing vertical planters that allow plants to grow up and over the top to create tree-like structures. These innovative, space-saving planters can be used in areas where space is required for additional uses such as the pop up markets.
Green spaces like these in the town centres help us in our commitment to tackle climate change as they can improve air quality and biodiversity, as well as boosting personal wellbeing.
Lighting can help a space to feel more vibrant and welcoming and along with improved CCTV, can help to reduce anti-social activity.
As part of the upgrade we are not only renewing the street lighting columns but will be looking at how lighting can be used to accent seating and the vertical planters. The introduction of colourful lighting would give more options to support future outdoor events and activities on the street.
To compliment the design, all road and pavement surfaces will be refreshed and have integrated services installed that will also help to improve the kerb appeal for existing businesses and encourage new businesses to the area.
New paving has been designed to provide maximum accessibility for everyone, including those with visual impairments or dementia.
The paving will be a selection of ethically sourced European granite. These high quality materials increase longevity, reduce maintenance costs and give a consistent feel to the paving throughout the town centre.
Street furniture like posts, seating and bollards will be reduced or refreshed to minimise obstructions to pedestrians. As well as providing more space to travel along the street, this flexible space allows us to introduce pop-up markets or outdoor events.
Seating areas are incorporated into the design. While there are currently only six fixed benches on the section of New Street from Ramsden Street to Cloth Hall Street, the new design features seating all along the central corridor of the street.
Other furniture such as bollards will be removed or replaced with stainless steel to be consistent with the new style for the town centre.
A central strip down New Street has been allocated for tables and chairs for on-street cafe areas. This allows customers to continue to access shops and move around obstacle free.
Contact us
- Email newstreet@kirklees.gov.uk
- Phone 01484 221000
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