£750,000 for town centre
AROUND £750,000 has been set aside to boost the regeneration of a town centre. The money, provided by Herts County Council, will be added to the £2million already pledged by North Herts District Council for the Baldock town centre strategy. The aim is to
AROUND £750,000 has been set aside to boost the regeneration of a town centre.
The money, provided by Herts County Council, will be added to the £2million already pledged by North Herts District Council for the Baldock town centre strategy.
The aim is to develop and enhance the centre now that the bypass has opened and taken away much through traffic.
Local councillor Michael Muir said it was a big bonus for the town.
He said: "This is great news on the county's behalf and for the people of Baldock.
"The town needs its fair share of regeneration. Now the bypass has been opened, which has proved to be a success, the town can look towards the future.
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"Surveys are currently being undertaken in the town and the people of Baldock will be consulted later in the year about the town's future."
The money will be good news for the town's shopkeepers and customers who have said investment in car parking should be the next priority for the council.
Bob Chapman, who owns RJ Chapman and Sons, in Church Street, said: "Before the bypass opened we had people avoiding the town but now they are starting to return. The roads are clear and the traffic is moving a lot easier. However parking has to be provided to ensure shoppers can bring their vehicles into town and have a place to park them while they shop. The whole place needs investing in."
Cllr Muir said parking will be revised as part of the Baldock town plan.
He said: "We need to look at the parking, especially on Whitehorse Street and the top and bottom of the High Street.
"We need a three pronged attack. Firstly, we need timed parking where people can park in certain areas for one out of two hours, secondly residential parking needs looking at and thirdly, we need to look after shopkeepers.
