Re-design of old Market Place (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Re-design of old Market Place

PEOPLE who live or work in Cirencester's centuries-old Market Place are to be given the chance to help re-design it.

Early draft proposals for a "new look" Market Place, a target for visitors from all parts of the world, are being drawn up as part of the next phase of the town's Traffic and Environment Plan.

Proposals for the Market Place roads layout will come under scrutiny in the Town Council chamber at Bingham House at 6.30pm next Monday, January 28.

And Market Place traders, stallholders from the markets held there, and residents, are being invited along to put forward their own ideas.

A similar event is being held at the same venue this (Thursday) evening, again at 6.30pm, for residents and business people of Dyer Street, where a reversal of the present one-way traffic flow will be a major part of the next phase of CTEP.

People from Purley Road and London Road, both of which will also be included in CTEP's next phase, attended a matching event last night.

Iona Cameron, a senior planning officer with Cotswold District Council, said: "These evening workshops are aimed at encouraging people to think about how we best prepare the detailed redevelopment of footpaths, junctions and road layours for the benefit of those living and working in them."

The input of other groups, including Cirencester's Youth Council, Disability Group, Civic Society, and local taxi firms, is also being sought. Iona said ideas shared at the workshops would be considered by the project team, members of which will are attending the events to provide guidance and answer technical questions.

The whole community will then be invited to comment further when an exhibition of the refined proposals is held.

CTEP, the first phase of which has just been completed in Tetbury Road, Park Lane, Park Street and Silver Street, is a joint initiative between Cirencester Town, Cotswold District and Gloucestershire County councils.

Its aim is to take unnecessary through-traffic out of the town centre, and to improve the safety and environment of that area for pedestrians, shoppers, traders, and the disabled.