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Castleford Town Centre Action Plan. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan has been developed by the Castleford Town Centre Partnership with support from Wakefield Council using existing plans and strategies as a basis to develop projects. It is envisaged that this plan will be updated by the partnership as required and reviewed annually, so that the progress of projects can be monitored. The Partnership has the role of coordinating and overseeing projects. The key to achieving the aims, objectives9441
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1. Castleford Town Centre PartnershipAction Plan 2007 – 2008
3. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan Page
Foreword 3
Contents 4
Partnership Statement 5
Introduction 7
Membership 8
SWOT Analysis 9
Strategic Priorities 13
1.0 Riverside & Gateways 14
2.0 Transport & Access 15
3.0 Heritage & Learning 16
4.0 Events & Environment 17
Specific Targets- Riverside & Gateways 18
Specific Targets- Transport & Access 22
Specific Targets- Heritage & Learning 26
Specific Targets- Events & Environment 30
Delivery 34
Project Details 35
The Directors 39
4. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
The Castleford Town Centre Partnership Ltd.
The Partnership was established to drive forward the regeneration of
Castleford, to raise civic pride and a sense of community, and to
promote and develop Castleford Town Centre as a good investment
opportunity.
Our aim is to encourage the private, public and voluntary sectors to
work together to create a prosperous town centre reflecting its unique
character and rich history, and create a quality environment for its
residents, workers, customers and visitors.
5. Mission Statement :
The vision of Castleford Town Centre Partnership Ltd for the town centre is:
‘We want to develop Castleford’s position as a proud market town with a unique character and individuality,
reflecting it’s rich history and building for future prosperity of the town. We strive to implement
initiatives providing a safe and secure environment and creating a quality shopper and visitor experience.’
Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
6. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan To co-ordinate retail, commercial, cultural, entertainment, tourism and leisure activities in the external public areas of the Castleford Town Centre
To encourage the private, public and voluntary sectors to work together to provide a prosperous and vibrant Town Centre and promote a quality environment within Castleford Town Centre for visitors, customers, workers and residents
To promote and support the highest possible standards of urban design and management for buildings and public spaces within Castleford Town Centre
To promote a safe, clean and managed Town Centre during the day and night, catering for visitors of all ages and local residents
To promote increased access to Castleford Town Centre by public transport as well as access to and safety around the Town Centre for cyclists and pedestrians
To co-ordinate the views of Town Centre organisations and businesses to ensure the consultation and involvement of all Town Centre stakeholders in the production and ongoing development of this Action Plan
7. The Partnership became a Limited Company without Guarantee in the Summer of 2003. The Directorship spans many disciplines including retail, local charities and local Ward Councillors, representing more than eleven organisations.
There are also several subgroups of the Partnership including The Heritage Trust, Riverside, Town Centre, and others who work out the detail and deliver specific aims. These are led by Board members who report to the Executive Committee.
Each Director devotes his or her time and energies on a purely voluntary basis in pursuance of these goals. Many hundreds of hours have been spent debating and now delivering the vision that is the Castleford Town Centre Strategy.
Together with our sponsors, Wakefield Council, we have started a journey to promote the delivery of many new and exciting projects over the coming years. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
8. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
9. Strengths
Shopping is central to town and easily accessed
Compact Shopping Area
Good rail and bus links with all services within easy reach of town centre
Carlton Lanes- Outdoor Shopping indoors!
Range of lower price smaller supermarkets
Close to Motorway network
New Henry Moore Square on Carlton Street
Vibrant Indoor and Outdoor Market
Vibrant Street Market
Good Good car parking around town centre
Range of lower priced goods
Newly refurbished Pedestrian Area
An active Town Centre Partnership
Convenient access from surrounding suburbs
Good Road network- close to M1, M62 & A1
Well used Library Service
Active Community Groups
Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
10. Weaknesses
A lack of better quality retailers within the town
A lack of medium and large retail units within the town
General levels of cleanliness within the town centre
Nothing to attract tourists
Gateways to town don’t create a sense of arrival
Approaches by foot look neglected
Perceived shortage of car parking
Disabled parking provision poorly placed in the town
Car Parking Charges
Lack of choice of hotels for visitors
Lack of co-ordination from Councils service deliverers
Few medium and high priced goods on offer- Poor retail mix
Business don’t always have a commitment to maintain the areas around their premises
Litter and rubbish around the town
Poor marketing of town
Lack of types of venues for evening economy for families and older people
Empty Shops
River cuts community in half
Too many fast food outlets
Few tourist attractions
Library building is outdated with no disabled access
Council Services are out of town Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
13. The Strategic Priorities
Riverside & Gateways: To improve the main gateways to the town centre and develop the riverside as an asset.
Transport & Access: Integrate transport, make Castleford an easy option to visit, and develop a new river crossing between the town centre and the north bank of the River Aire.
Heritage & Learning: Promote and develop opportunities for learning and develop Castleford’s hidden heritage.
Events & Environment: Promote and develop the appeal of the town centre for a wide range of shoppers and improve the appearance of the town centre. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
14. 1.0 Riverside & Gateways:
1.1 Work with stakeholders to develop and promote the riverside public space.
1.2 Support ongoing developments for the river crossing between the town centre and north bank of the River Aire.
1.3 Develop partnership working to improve the main traffic gateways to the town centre.
1.4 Work with stakeholders to improve pedestrian gateways to town centre.
Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
15. 2.0 Transport & Access:
2.1 Support Metro in the development of a new bus and rail transport interchange.
2.2 Work with the Police, Wakefield Council and stakeholders to enhance car parking facilities.
2.3 Work with the Police and Wakefield Council to ensure clear access ways for pedestrians and vehicles.
2.4 Ensure disabled access provision is adequate and in suitable positions, given the changing patterns of use within the town centre. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
16. 3.0 Heritage & Learning:
3.1 Support and continue to lobby for the building of the Castleford Forum.
3.2 Promote learning through partnership working.
3.3 Develop ways to celebrate Castleford’s rich heritage.
3.2 Utilise every available opportunity to include learning
provision. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
17. 4.0 Events & Environment:
4.1 Support Wakefield Council* host specific events in Castleford Town Centre.
4.2 Support and encourage Wakefield Council Markets Service in its programme of improvements.
4.3 Improve the built environment by supporting a programme of continual renovation and renewal.
4.4 Work with stakeholders to develop ‘Castleford in Bloom’.
*Events, Arts & Tourism Service
18. 1.1 Riverside Walk
Context: Castleford’s industrial past turned its back on the River Aire. Today the river is quiet, tranquil and feels remarkably rural, even as it passes through the town. The Riverside Walk Project was identified in Hudson’s Town Centre Improvement Plan 2004.
Aim: To encourage the river to be enjoyed and open the opportunity to develop a tourist trail.
Objective: To encourage people to walk more, and develop understanding and enjoyment of their local environment.
Action: To lobby Wakefield Council and actively encourage those who want to help develop open walkways and improved access around the river, to achieve their aims. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
19. 1.2 Castleford Footbridge
Context: Castleford Town Centre is constrained by the railway and the River Aire. A new upgraded underpass has been built under the railway, however the suburbs to the north of the town are cut off by the river. This project was identified in Hudson’s Town Centre Improvement Plan 2004.
Aim: To connect the northern suburbs of the town with the town centre.
Objective: To encourage people to access the town centre on foot, and to develop a scenic continuous walkway by the little used riverside.
Action: A well established project to build a footbridge is in place, with design and contractors chosen. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
20. 1.3 Creation of Gateways
Context: Castleford Town Centre is vibrant and compact. If entered by road there is little to give a true sense of arrival. This is by no means a unique problem. However, with nearby purpose-built out of town shopping experiences, Castleford needs to offer a real sense of arrival, especially to first time visitors to the town.
Aim: To improve the visual image of the main access roads into the town.
Objective: To work with Wakefield Council and other active partners to develop and improve specific gateway areas to the town.
Action: To lobby for improvements and support organisations willing to turn this vision into a reality. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
21. 1.4 Beancroft Road Underpass
Context: Beancroft Road Underpass is a main pedestrian link with Castleford Town Centre. The underpass dates back over 100 years and is very well used.
Aim: To improve the appearance of this main pedestrian thoroughfare linking a large suburban area with the town centre. Making citizens feel safer and improving their quality of life.
Objective: To encourage people to walk into the town centre. This ties into the target to improve gateways to the town and access to the town centre, and the themed strategic priority Access and Transport.
Action: To implement a project to repaint the ceiling, clean and tidy the walls, entrance and exits to Beancroft Road Underpass. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
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27. 3.2 Carlton Street Co-op
Context: The Carlton Street Co-op store has closed. In the short term the empty building has been boarded to protect the glass windows. This reflects on the surrounding area and gives a poor impression.
Aims: To improve the appearance of the main shopping street, engaging children in the project to help community cohesion, improving the visual appearance of the site, and generally improving the quality of life.
Objective: This project ties into the target to improve gateways to the town and the themed strategic priorities heritage and learning, and improved open public space.
Action: To paint a mural on the boarded windows of the former Co-op store until a new owner can be found.
Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
28. 3.3 Roman Bath House
Context: The site of the Roman Bath House has been marked by a small insignificant plaque. The Partnership want to celebrate Castleford’s hidden heritage, putting it on the map. Many people in Castleford don’t realise the history under their feet.
Aim: To install an information board giving an informed interpretation of what the site would have looked like when the Romans were in Castleford.
Objective: To increase public awareness of Castleford’s long history, tying this into the wider pedestrian initiatives around the town.
Action: To encourage and support volunteers to actively seek funding and partners to make this become a reality. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
29. 3.4 Promote learning through partnership working
Context: Castleford is in a period of change. Whenever regeneration opportunities arise the partnership is aware that as many people as possible need to be able to take advantage of the situation. This project was identified in the Castleford Town Centre Strategy 2002- 12.
Aim: As the Partnership plays a major role in the co-ordination of projects, each project should be looked at to see if there are any wider learning opportunities which can be utilised to help extend the scope of the project and enhance the learning opportunities for the wider community.
Objectives: To increase the learning opportunities for the wider community, and maximise project benefits.
Action: The Partnership will work with any other organisations to ensure that where possible all learning opportunities identified can be taken advantage of.
Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
30. 4.1 Public Events
Context: The regeneration work within Castleford has created a newly laid out public square with bespoke street furniture on Carlton Street.
Aim: To promote the town as a destination for shopping and family orientated leisure activities.
Objective: To instigate a series of events to utilise the new public space and maximise the town’s potential.
Action: To work with and support Wakefield Council* to develop event opportunities within Castleford.
*Events, Arts & Tourism Service
Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
31. 4.2 Castleford Markets
Context: The Partnership recognises that markets bring a vibrancy and make a positive contribution to public spaces.
Aim: To encourage the market to develop and grow.
Objective: To promote and extend the appeal of the town as a retail centre.
Action: The Partnership will support Wakefield Council and market traders to implement projects that help promote and expand the shopping provision.
Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
32. 4.3 The Built Environment
Context: The Partnership recognises that towns are in a constant state of flux. This collection of peaks and troughs can be tracked through the many and varied buildings within a town. For a town to continue to develop and become more successful, external investment is needed. This project was identified in the Castleford Town Centre Strategy 2002-12.
Aim: To improve Castleford by increasing the range of shops, services and facilities on offer.
Objective: To encourage companies, statutory authorities, funding bodies and developers to invest in Castleford.
Action: The Partnership will actively support any organisation seeking to meet these aims and objectives. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
33. 4.4 Castleford in Bloom
Context: Wakefield in Bloom was developed around Wakefield City Centre. As a project it is viewed very positively by the public. It was envisaged to roll this out across the district, and Castleford should play a part in this.
Aim: To develop Castleford in Bloom with a community based approach
encouraging business and community participation and sponsorship.
Objective: To brighten up and improve the town centre environment bringing green and floral displays together with a co-ordinated approach to environmental issues.
Action: Form a Castleford in Bloom steering group to oversee and
co-ordinate this project. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan
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39. Castleford Town Centre Action Plan Mark Burns-Williamson Councillor & Chair
John Munday Carlton Lanes Tenants Association & Deputy Chair
Dave Wilders Friends of Castleford Library
Liz Murphy Groundwork Wakefield
Lorna Malkin Yorkshire Art Circus
Angie Cockcroft Carlton Lanes Shopping Centre
Alison Drake Castleford Heritage Trust
Paul Sikora Wakefield First
Eric Crossland Castleford Male Voice Choir Hughie Hartley Market Traders Association
Reg Lavine Castleford Civic Trust
Phil Rooney Marks & Spencer
Paul Roberts Metro
Peter Box Councillor
Denise Jeffery Councillor
Heather Hudson Councillor
Yvonne Crewe Councillor
Anthony Wallis Councillor
Darren Travis Councillor
Sylvia Harris Nestle
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