Newtown centre plans in pipeline
Council group plan next step for overhaul of town centre
Plans to regenerate Hamilton town centre took a step forward this week.
Councillors met to discuss the Town Centre Strategy and Action Plan.
And a forum will now be set up to include members of Hamilton Business Improvement District, officials and representatives of the community to see how best to take action on the proposals.
Following a public event at Hamilton Town House in September, which looked at issues surrounding the regeneration of the town, feedback was given to councillors who attended the meeting on Tuesday.
The consultation attracted in excess of 5000 comments, with the public and business community uniting behind the same themes.
Following the consultation, priorities identified included: The former Bairds’ unit, the former Town Hotel and the old Vogue cinema site. The derelict Keith’s Building has also now been added to the plan.
Plans to develop Hamilton are a step closer.
Councillors met this week to discuss the Town Centre Strategy and Action Plan. And a forum will now be set up to include members of Hamilton Business Improvement District, officials and representatives of the community on how best to action the proposals.
Following a public event held at Hamilton Town House in September, which looked at issues surrounding the regeneration of the town, feedback was given to councillors who attended the meeting on Tuesday.
The consultation attracted in excess of 5000 comments, with the public and business community uniting behind the same themes.
Following the consultation, priorities identified included: The former Bairds’ unit, the former Town Hotel on Townhead Street and the old Vogue cinema site in Keith Street. Developments at Hamilton Racecourse and the University of the West of Scotland were added to the Action Plan.
In the report to South Lanarkshire’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, officials said: “The council has recently completed a period of priorities maintenance and will continue to monitor key areas with in the town centre.”
The derelict Keith’s Building in the town’s Cadzow Street is also be added to the action plan as a site which should be given consideration.
Other plans include developing town centre living, which will be prioritised.
The re-opening of Quarry Street to traffic will be subject to an experimental Traffic Regulation Order.
And proposals also looked at the introduction of a shuttle bus to connect the top and bottom of the town centre.
At the meeting, the council agreed to
continue to explore a range of parking options including undertaking an exercise to bring forward a cashless app to increase flexibility in payment for users.
Hamilton North and East councillor Stephanie Callaghan welcomed the report, saying: “A lot of hard work has gone into putting this strategy and action plan together.
“I am pleased to see the addition of Keith’s Building being included, and I am really looking forward to see the strategy being brought forward.”
Hamilton West and Earnock councillor Mary Donnelly said: “I welcome this report and have fond memories of Hamilton, being a Hamiltonian myself.
“I can remember when we had great shops, cafes and the dancing and I look forward to see the changes being brought about.
“I think we do have to look at the parking and perhaps streamlining it or people paying on the way out, rather than rushing back to top up their parking. Hamilton is not disabledfriendly and that is something that should be looked at too.”
Independent Avondale and Stonehouse councillor Margaret Cooper raised concerns about where the funding would come from in order to implement these proposals.
However officials were quick to respond that the funds would be generated through existing resources or the private sector.
Councillors also echoed the thoughts of those who took part in the consultation stating that “a better quality of shops” are needed to bring people back to the town.
The council agreed to continue to work with town centre representatives to explore parking initiatives which support business, increase flexibility and ensure effective management of car parking.
A lot of hard work has gone into putting this strategy and action plan together Councillor Stephanie Callaghan