Shoppers get first look at town centre improvements
RESIDENTS have had their first glimpse of the improvements made to the Underbanks following lockdown easing.
As non-essential retail was allowed to reopen last week, shoppers got their first look at the work to improve public spaces, including roads and footpaths, which have taken place during the winter lockdown.
As part of phase two of the scheme, which has just been completed, new street furniture, new street lighting, new paving and a new road surface have been put in place in the Lower Hillgate/Little Underbank area.
New street furniture and lighting is still to be installed between Royal Oak Yard and the roundabout at Great Underbank.
Mark Glynn, director of place management at Stockport Council, said: “We would like to thank businesses and residents for their continued patience, understanding and support while these works on the Underbanks have taken place.
“We appreciate it has been an incredibly difficult time for so many, and we are looking forward to welcoming businesses and visitors back to enjoy the benefits of the refurbished area.
“The council is reviewing the longer-term vehicle access arrangements in the wider Markets and Underbanks area as we want to make sure it meets the needs of modern-day life and is a great place to live, work, play and connect.”
The scheme, which has received support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, is being delivered by the council’s Town Centre Access Plan in support of their ‘Rediscovering the Underbanks’ project.
Phase one of the works, resurfacing of the road between the automatic bollards and Royal Oak Yard, was completed in March 2020.
The road was resurfaced in coloured tarmac due to ongoing works to property nearby.
Once those works have been completed, the coloured tarmac surface will be replaced with the same paving that has been installed at Little Underbank.
As was the case before the works began, vehicular access for residents, servicing and loading will be before 10.30am and/or after 4pm.
The Pedestrian Zone applies between 10.30am and 4pm, which means that no vehicles are allowed to use the area.
To find out more about the work taking place in the Underbanks, visit Rediscovering the Underbanks.