A multi-million pound project in Weston-super-Mare is
set to take a major step forward next month.
The bulk of the work to lay tarmac, and finish carriageway and
drainage works for the whole of Pier Square is to be completed
during September.
Executive member for strategic planning, Cllr Elfan Ap Rees,
said that good progress was being made in bringing the £3.9m
project to fruition.
"Large areas of the square are now paved and being used by the
public, with around 100m2 of paving being laid per day. Walls
around the square are being put up and the northern section is
completed, apart from some lighting work, and fully open to the
public together with the pedestrian crossing to the pier.
"Foundations for the fountain are being dug and the tank put in.
The refurbishment off-site of the fountain is nearly complete and I
expect it to be installed by the end of September."
What was now needed, added Cllr Ap Rees, was to lay tarmac and
complete work on the roadways and drains.
"To be able to do this we need to temporarily close the road. Of
course we realise that this will cause disruption but we have
thought about this carefully so that the work will not interfere
with summer holidays, the revised Grand Pier opening and continued
access for their works, or any major events on the seafront."
A short length of Marine Parade will be closed northbound from
Carlton St from September 1 to 24 and Royal Parade will not be open
to through traffic from Knightstone Rd between September 1 and 10.
Access to the Winter Gardens and the Sovereign Centre will be
maintained.
The diversion route takes in South Parade, Waterloo St,
Boulevard, Alfred St, Locking Rd, Station Rd, Carlton St and vice
versa. There will also be a road closure on Oxford Street where it
meets Beach Road from September 15 until 24.
"The diversion route will be well signposted and we are getting
the contractor to sign destinations at the north end of the
seafront from Hildesheim Bridge," added Cllr Ap Rees. "We are
letting businesses know what we are doing and I would encourage
everyone to keep using them while the disruption is happening.
"We are coming into the final furlong of this project which will
see another area of our town transformed for the better."
Pier Square is the area of Weston-super-Mare seafront which
includes the two lawns and surrounding roads between Carlton Street
and the Grand Pier.
Work is underway to carry out a redesign of the roads and
landscaping, which will:
Reduce the number of vehicles, to make it safer and more
pedestrian friendly.
Improve traffic flow.
Improve the lawns to create a better leisure area, an enhanced
setting for the newly re-developed Grand Pier and help attract more
visitors to Weston.
Encourage people to walk between the seafront and town centre (and
vice-versa), increasing trade for local business.
Make the most of the seaside views and other attractions in this
conservation area.
The total cost is £3.9 million, with money coming from us and
grants from the South West Regional Development Agency and
other organisations. The project is also part of the Civic Pride
scheme, which has already funded the improvements at Grove Village,
Meadow Street, Big Lamp Corner and the ongoing promenade works.
