Bold plans for Bridge Street

WARRINGTON Borough Council’s bold plans to revitalise troubled Bridge Street are moving forward – and Town Hall chiefs are to consult the public on the proposals.
A supplementary planning document has been produced to guide development and look at opportunities for upper and lower Bridge Street, the Market, Academy Way, Academy Street, Mersey Street and Time Square. The document is now out for consultation.
The council’s executive member for planning, regeneration and housing, Coun Bob Barr, said: “Our vision is for Bridge Street to be a vibrant, successful part of the town centre. We want to support an improved market and provide plenty to do and see for people of all ages and interests, during the day and through to the evening.
“We also want the area to include high quality public spaces that link easily to other parts of the town centre and the waterfront area.”
Bridge Street is currently suffering from a significant number of empty and boarded up shops – in particular the former Boots store which has been empty for more than a year.
Councillors are anxious to revive what could, potentially, be the town’s top shopping street.
Comments on the planning document are invited from all members of the community and from development companies.
The document can be viewed online at www.warrington.gov.uk/planning, at the Contact Warrington centre on Horsemarket Street or at any local library.
Comments can be sent by email to [email protected], by post to Planning Policy, New Town House, Buttermarket Street, WA1 2NH or by filling in the online form through the council website at www.warrington.gov.uk/planning or directly at http://warrington.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/spd/bridgestspd/.
The council is also actively seeking a development partner to help deliver the vision, which is part of the wider local development framework.
Picture: Lower Bridge Street…at the heart of the council’s plans