Next phase of engagement on future of Bacup town centre announced

The board overseeing the Bacup Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) has announced plans for the next phase of engagement on the £2m scheme.

As part of the conditions of the THI funding, a public realm improvement scheme is required.

It means changes to the road layout to make the town centre easier to use for pedestrians. The scheme also aims to bring back a more town square feel to the centre. Proposals have been drawn up and now the THI board and Lancashire County Council are encouraging people to get involved, ask questions about the scheme and have their say.

A public meeting will take place on July 4, 6pm to 8pm at The Corner Stone, Pioneer Building, Alma Street, Bacup, OL13 9NZ.

At the meeting, people can come and speak to both members of the THI project board and highways officers from Lancashire County Council about the proposals. Details about the event will be confirmed soon.

Other activities relating to the public realm enhancements include:

The project officer will continue to visit businesses in the area and will be encouraging businesses to take part in a survey about the proposals.

A Lancashire County Council engineer will also be available for businesses should they wish to have a visit.

This follows on from the engagement Rossendale Council did earlier in the year, the results of which are on the Bacup THI website.

Councillor Andy MacNae, chair of the THI board, said:

“The whole THI scheme is a very exciting project for the town centre which will help cement Bacup’s reputation as a historic market town and as an excellent place for people to shop and visit.

“We are already seeing the benefit of this scheme on the town with shop fronts refurbished and restored to their former glory. Shops are already telling us they have seen an increase in customers.

“As part of the £2m grant, we are required to implement proposals for a public realm improvement scheme.

“The vision for this is to make Bacup much friendlier for pedestrians and create a place where we can put on brilliant events which attract more people to the town.

We have already been getting people’s views on potential proposals so I want to thank people for getting in touch.

“We are listening to people and taking people’s views on board and the next phase of engagement will give people another chance to have their say.

“Clearly, these proposals need to be right for Bacup which is why it is vital people get involved in the debate and help shape the final proposals.

“I believe the proposals we have at the moment are in the right direction but they can always be improved. We will continue to listen to what people say and try to get a set of proposals which people can get behind.”

More information about the Bacup THI can be found on the website.

You can submit questions in advance for the public meeting via email by 5pm on June 30 to: thi@rossendalebc.gov.uk or via twitter @bacupthi or via facebook: Bacup Townscape Heritage Initiative.