Have your say on town centre
Plan to breathe new life into area
Hamilton politicians have said the campaign to regenerate the town centre has taken another step forward.
South Lanarkshire Council launched an online consultation and carried out a public engagement event this week.
And Angela Crawley MP and Christina Mckelvie MSP have urged locals to offer their views on the plans to transform the town.
Ms Mckelvie said: “I welcome the launch of the council’s consultation on the future of the town centre.
“We are determined to put community participation and engagement at the heart of this process and reflect the views of the people in the progress of this plan.
“I would encourage everyone with an interest in the future of our town to make their views known.”
The public event took place in the Regent Shopping Centre on Monday and Tuesday.
Council representatives were on hand to answer any questions about the proposals and to gather feedback.
The draft Hamilton Town Centre Strategy and Action Plan is now available online and a seven-week consultation period is under way and will conclude on Friday, June 15.
Ms Crawley added: “The launch of the consultation is a major step forward in the campaign to regenerate Hamilton Town Centre.
“It has never been more important to make your views on the town centre known and influence the progress of the action plan. Let’s get behind the consultation and show that there is heart in Hamilton.”
A report outlining a wave of measures to improve the area went before the Community and Enterprise Resources committee on Tuesday, March 6.
The Hamilton Town Centre Strategy and Action Plan and Town Centre Audits report features a range of ambitious proposals such as the reopening of Quarry Street to traffic, extending the streetscape area around Campbell Street and creating an “iconic gateway building” at the Hamilton Towers Site.
It also outlines plans to bring vacant ground back into use, and pledges to review the parking system within the town centre.
Other plans to improve events and marketing include trial initiatives such as a craft-maker emporium, teenage market and pop-up events.
The draft, put together by the council in conjunction with the Hamilton Business Improvement District and town centre partners, focuses on three key areas: Access and enhanced connectivity; business support; and events, marketing and initiatives.
To give your views on the proposal, go to tinyurl.com/ham-tc2018