What is the 'Pedestrian Heart' scheme?
A programme of Town Centre improvements including the design of a new traffic management system, the development of a pedestrianised zone and environmental improvements.
How will it improve Darlington Town Centre?
The scheme seeks to create a new 'pedestrian heart' to Darlington town centre and will add to the existing pedestrian space. The overall aim of the scheme is to enable an improvement in the quality, economy, environment, attractiveness and safety of the Town Centre by:
- Achieving new development - bringing new retailers and businesses to the Centre will enable Darlington to better compete with the rest of the region;
- Making the Town Centre more attractive - increasing the ease, comfort and safety of which the Town Centre can be used will encourage more people to visit and to stay longer when they are here.
What are the benefits of the scheme?
There are many benefits to the Pedestrian Heart scheme, some of which are detailed below:
- Achieving new development which will attract new shops and businesses.
- Opportunity for increased pedestrian activity and longer visiting time in the Town Centre, which will boost the local economy.
- Positive first impressions of the Town Centre (and the Borough) which will encourage further investment and development in Darlington.
- Significant reduction of pedestrian/vehicle conflict which will ease pedestrian movement.
- Creation of a high quality environment around the Town Centres listed and architecturally important buildings, complementing the historic street pattern.
- Reduction of a north/south divide in the Town Centre.
- Creation of sizeable new events spaces and an improved environment which will improve the image and marketing of the Town.
- High quality urban design, incorporating public art.
How much will the scheme cost?
The cost of the scheme is estimated to be in the region of £8.4 million over 3 financial years.
Who is paying for the scheme?
In December 2004, a Single Programme grant of £3,259,000 was approved by One NorthEast, the Development Agency for the North East.
Darlington Borough Council's corporate resources have match-funded this with £2,500,000 and a Government grant from the Local Transport Plan (LTP) of £640,000 will be used to fund the remaining amount.
For further information on release of funding, refer to the Cabinet Report - 18 Jan 2005 - Item 7b [pdf document] and the Cabinet Report - 15 Mar 2005 - Item 6b [pdf document]
Additional funding has also been released in order to meet unforeseen costs and problems, the details of which are attached.
When will the construction work commence?
Construction work will be split in to two phases. Timescales are as follows:
- Phase One: Highway enabling works – February 2005.
- Phase Two: Highway enabling works – September 2005.
- Phase Two: Main public realm work – October 2005 to May 2007.
When will the work be completed?
It is anticipated that the majority of work will be completed by Summer 2007.
Which roads are affected by the scheme?
The alternative bus access and public realm drawing illustrates the proposed new bus routes and pedestrian focused areas.
In September 2005, a new traffic management scheme was introduced, which incorporated changes to bus routes through the town centre. See Traffic Changes.
Some temporary changes to the bus stops have been in operation while works are taking place. See Town Centre Bus Stops.
In November 2004, a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) was advertised detailing the proposed Phase One Enabling works. For further information, refer to the Cabinet Report - 18 Jan 2005 - Item 10 [pdf document]
In December 2004, a TRO was advertised detailing the proposed new traffic management system for the Town Centre. For further information, refer to the Cabinet Report - 15 Feb 2005 - Item 10 [pdf document]
Additional funding has also been released in order to meet unforeseen costs and problems, the details of which are in the Cabinet Report - 26 Sep 2006.
Did you consult with the public?
In 2001, the Town Centre Access Study, which was undertaken by EDAW and Colin Buchanan & Partners, concluded with the recommendation to create the 'pedestrian heart' in Darlington town centre. This study included a series of public consultation workshops, public displays and surveys of bus passengers and pedestrians.
Since then, the Council and its design team have further consulted with local businesses, retailers, bus companies/operators and members of the local community. This has enabled the team to progress the scheme designs and as a result the Council and its design team held a community consultation event during July 2004.
Scheme design information has been issued to key organisations and special interest groups, such as English Heritage and Darlington Association of Disability (DAD).
Meetings have also been held with other groups, such as taxi operators, indoor/outdoor market traders and emergency services.
Scheme design and consultation exhibition information has been published within the Northern Echo, D&S Times, Darlington Town Crier and numerous professional magazines.
Concept and detailed design literature has been made available online.
The following forums have also received progress reports:
- The Town Centre Board;
- The Joint Town Centre and Transport Forum;
- The Darlington Partnership Economy & Environment Subgroup;
- Cabinet;
- Environment Scrutiny Committee;
- Resource Scrutiny Committee.
On 3-5 February 2005, the Council held a Pedestrian Heart conservation and planning exhibition in the Cornmill Shopping Centre, encouraging people to review the applications and seeking their views. A large number of people took this opportunity to examine the plans and models and to ask questions. These models and plans are now available to view in the Town Hall reception.
Who designed the Pedestrian Heart scheme?
In October 2003, Darlington Borough Council appointed the design team to develop the scheme and progress through detailed design and implementation. The design team is led by Gillespies, a UK based international practice of urban designers, landscape architects, planners and architects, who have worked on similar projects including Middlesbrough town centre and Buchanan Street, Royal Exchange Square and Candleriggs in Glasgow.
Gillespies are assisted by Faber Maunsell, Highway Engineers; Kinsler & Partners, Quantity Surveyors; and Equation, Lighting Designers who offer expertise in transport planning, quantity surveying and street lighting respectively.
How will art feature in the scheme?
The artist, Michael Pinsky, has been commissioned to add a different perspective to the design process and to promote further creativity and innovation.
Michael is currently working on the detailed design of a proposed water feature, Life Pulse and other lighting features.
Some residents seem concerned about proposals to allow cycling in the short term, and others are fully supportive - are there any specific cycle routes proposed or are they not needed?
Cycling within the Town Centre Pedestrian Heart has been approved for a trial period (6 months).
Specific cycle lanes are not proposed, with the exception of Northgate where a contraflow cycle lane (on highway) will provide a route for northbound cyclists. Elsewhere cycle lanes will be limited to sections of no more than a few metres, for example at the Blackwellgate / Skinnergate junction. These are needed to direct cyclists as they exit the town centre area onto the highway network. It is envisaged that there will be cycle routes through the Town Centre, for example National Cycle Route 14 from Stockton - Darlington and onto Barnard Castle, and also local routes. These will be signed in keeping with the design of the Pedestrian Heart.
For further information, refer to the Cabinet Report - 16 Nov 2004 - Item 6c, Appendix Nine [pdf document]
How will buses work in the interim while construction work is going on?
Some temporary bus stops are now in operation, the buses are now re-directed around the revised routing (Northgate – Crown Street – Priestgate loop – Prebend Row – Tubwell Row). This will remain the case for the duration of the works. In the unlikely event that there are any diversions of the buses this will be well publicized well in advance of any re-routing.
In September 2005, the bus routes through the town centre changed and the bus stops were relocated. See Traffic Changes.
Will key alignments through the area such as the line of the Great North Road be marked out for people to see and understand?
Design ideas such as this have been passed to Gillespies as the urban designers to try to incorporate within the scheme where feasible and in keeping with the Pedestrian Heart design.
What materials are being used?
There is an emphasis on high quality design, reinforcing the character and heritage of Darlington through a modern, but sensitive palette of materials.
The proposals make use of traditional, natural materials which are appropriate to the historic core of Darlington, and the detailed design, including the retention of kerb lines, will be to the highest standard. The scheme will preserve the most distinctive landscape feature of the area, the split upper and lower levels of High Row.
Following discussions with key organisations such as English Heritage, the design will incorporate natural stone such as sandstone or Yorkstone, as a recognised vernacular of Darlington, and large granite setts such as those used on the Market Place.
Granite setts are very hard wearing and practical for a scheme such as this whilst the natural stone will ‘act as a plinth’ to enhance the setting of the many surrounding listed buildings.
What are the main Pedestrian Heart features?
See Main Features of the Scheme. See also Cabinet Report - 16 Nov 2004 - Item 6c [pdf document]
How will the Council recreate a sense of the place when it has removed some of the key features of the town centre?
The changes will enhance the town centre and create a quality environment and a stimulating place for shoppers and other visitors and residents. More attractive pedestrian spaces will be created that are inviting, safe and accessible for all to use.
There is an emphasis on high quality design, reinforcing the character and heritage of Darlington through a modern, but sensitive palette of materials.
The aim is to return to a simpler, less cluttered appearance, echoing the area’s character before 1901 but in a modern and practicable way which also reflects the better aspects of the Edwardian scheme, most especially the split in levels. A change from three levels to two is proposed in order to improve accessibility and make the space more usable for pedestrians, and to host outdoor events and activities.
A single set of steps will run the full length of the scheme, lit at night to highlight the strong contemporary lines.
The new proposals look to ensure pedestrian focused space. By opening up the space through a simple set of steps it allows for greater movement around the town centre and more accessible, usable space for everyone.
The following proposals are also planned:
- Relocation of the statue of Joseph Pease to its original position, looking out over High Row towards the Clock Tower;
- Part of the outdoor market to be located along West Row;
- A series of raised planters incorporated within the steps to celebrate Britain in Bloom;
- Bench seats with back to back design enabling the users to face busy High Row or look out over the lower flags;
- A water cascade proposed to create gentle background noise and movement. This signifies the location of the markets historically and the washing down of the streets at the end of the day.
What planning applications are associated with the scheme?
The following Applications associated with the Pedestrian Heart Scheme have been submitted:
Date
Validated |
Site
Address |
Brief Description |
Application
Reference No. |
| 20/01/2005 |
High Row |
Temporary dismantling and removal of the statue of Joseph Pease. This Application for Listed Building Consent was considered by the Secretary of State. |
05/00050/DCLB |
| 20/01/2005 |
High Row |
Re-erection of the the statue of Joseph Pease in a revised location. |
05/00051/DC |
| 20/01/2005 |
High Row |
Demolition of existing steps, balustrading, railings and disused toilet block. This Application for Conservation Area Consent was considered by the Secretary of State. |
05/00052/CAC |
| 20/01/2005 |
High Row |
Erection of new steps and associated features on High Row. |
05/00053/DC |
| 08/07/2005 |
West Row |
Listed Building Consent for replacement of existing paving slabs with new sandstone paving on external plinth facing West Row. This Application for Listed Building Consent will be considered by the Secretary of State. |
05/00656/DCLB |
| 19/07/2005 |
High Row + Blackwellgate |
Construction of water feature, additional access ramp and life pulse. |
05/00657/DC |
These applications can be viewed at the Customer Service Centre in the Town Hall, Darlington.