The works to Broad Street began last week on the revised date and have progressed as planned. The contractors have installed safety barriers and traffic continues to flow as normal. The Project Manager has been in contact with the Church to minimise disruptions for planned ceremonies.
The changes are designed to provide additional parking through the introduction of diagonal ‘chevron’ parking and create a reduced width crossing area near St Johns Church.
As the start date for these works was delayed, and as stated in a message of 10 July, the Thoroughfare stages are now scheduled to start in early August. The timing for the remainder of the works is under review and will be published when dates are made available from Norfolk County Council. The scheme will be delivered in various phases, the Thoroughfare will not be closed for the whole duration of the scheme.
Final Design Plans – The final design is to be discussed at a Project Board meeting later this week. The Project Manager will produce another Public Information Notice when the final plans are agreed and we will publish on our website. Any increase in the costs of the project will be met by South Norfolk District Council and Norfolk County Council. Irrespective of these increases, the contribution from Harleston Town Council was agreed and capped at £30k and is designated for street furniture.
Street Furniture – There are to be options for new picnic tables, benches, planters and bins with a shortlist of design from: Traditional; Wooden; and Contemporary. The Town Council are considering ways to involve the community in the choice and location of the new furniture. This is an element where the Town Council have control.
Parking Provisions – We have been informed that the total number of parking spaces within the town centre will remain the same, there will be relocations, but the overall provision will remain the same. We continue to request plans to clearly show the positions both before and after the changes and will publish when received.
Bus Routes – There will be changes to bus routes during the works to the Thoroughfare. The project team are in contact with the bus companies and details of changes will be sent to the Town Council for further release.
Meeting Local Business Owners – The project manager will visit local businesses following finalisation of the plans, hopefully at the end of this week or early next week.
Questions – All public correspondence should be addressed to: enquiries@harleston-tc.gov.uk . We will answer those questions where we have the relevant information. We have been advised to forward questions which we are unable to answer to the project team, who commit to a response within 10 days.
Two Projects – One Town
It is very important to not confuse the Town Centre Project with the Neighbourhood Plan. We are using colour branding to distinguish the two project and messages. Environmental Green is for the Neighbourhood Plan and Purple for the Town Centre Project.
A Neighbourhood Plan is a planning policy document written by the community to guide future development in the area. This will be of great importance at a time when there are proposals for significant development in town. It will also provide the Town Council with a greater share of the Community Infrastructure Levy which is paid by the developer to South Norfolk Council.
The Neighbourhood Plan will be put to referendum of the electorate in September. It is important for everyone in the community that we pass the plan and take greater control over developments in our parish and receive a greater share of the money from developers.
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