Work finally begins on £3m masterplan
GROUND has been broken on a multi-million town centre redevelopment three years in the making.
Phase one of the ‘Spinning Point project’ for Rawtenstall town centre has begun with the erection of hoardings and demolition of the bus station and part of the old town hall due to start within a fortnight.
The demolition process will last up to 12 weeks, and Rossendale council says the final date for completion of the new £3.5million bus station is set for May next year.
Work on phase one had been delayed from August last year after being hit by objections from heritage campaigners and the discovery of asbestos, and a dispute with Royal Mail over access to its delivery office.
The second phase of the redevelopment will see 22 homes on the former Valley Centre site and new leisure facilities and parking on Kay Street and Bacup Road. A park and ride stop for the X43 bus to Manchester has also been agreed in principle.
David Gould, chairman of Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce, has backed the works. He said: “It’s good news it’s finally starting – we have been waiting for a long time and we hope it goes smoothly with minimal disruption in the town centre.
“The road closures won’t cause too much impact on the central area, people will just need to find different routes to get round.
“This money is only to spend on a bus station, we don’t have the option to spend it on anything else, and this will kickstart a bigger scheme which ultimately will be a big improvement to the town centre.”
‘ASK questions about bus station scheme’ – see letters on page 10