Market Street and Sheep Street Public Realm Improvements
In June/July 2009 we consulted on plans to improve Sheep Street and Market Street. The consultation asked for people’s views on improving the area including the removal of through traffic and implementing shared surfaces in the area. In October/ November 2009 we consulted on the draft Kettering Town Centre Transport Strategy and sought peoples views on improving public transport.
From your feedback and further work we have now produced a design for the area. This consultation seeks people’s views on these proposals.
The objectives of the scheme are to:
1. Improve the public area and further regenerate this part of the town centre
The design encourages an outdoor eating culture and a pedestrian friendly area. The removal of unnecessary traffic will increase the shopping in this area of the Town Centre. Shared surfaces are to be introduced throughout the area, giving pedestrians priority over traffic. This will help support the proposed Yards area off Market St.
2. Enhance the look of the buildings along Sheep Street and Market Place
Providing an appropriate setting for important buildings such as the Library, Art Gallery, Museum, Parish Church, Piccadilly buildings, George Hotel, Royal Hotel and the Market Place restaurants. This will include the relocation and creation of well-designed on-street parking that does not detract from the newly developed Market Place and Sheep Street.
3. Provide a new purpose built bus terminal at Horsemarket closer to the main shopping area to reduce journey times
Horsemarket will become a purpose built bus area offering more direct, quicker bus routes by removing the existing detour through Market Street and Sheep Street
Taxi bays will be relocated on Horsemarket and moved from the Market Place to Sheep Street.
4. Complete the Market Place refurbishment, this will link to the High Street and Market Street
This scheme will complete the Market Place refurbishment, linking the area with the buildings on the west side of the Market Place. The materials used will be of high quality, which will include paving, furniture and landscaping
5. Remove through traffic, including buses benefiting pedestrians and shoppers, while retaining access for residents and businesses
Through traffic is to be removed from Market Street creating a safe area for pedestrians.
Loading/unloading for businesses would be restricted between certain hours. Residents and businesses would continue to enjoy access via Sheep Street.
Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) will be required to deliver this scheme.
6. Use high quality natural materials to improve the quality of the area
The majority of Market St and Sheep St will be paved in Yorkstone the same used by the award winning Market Place.
Traffic Regulation Orders
To support the proposed improvements it will be necessary to publish Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs). These will restrict parking, loading and through traffic where necessary. A formal consultation on this will follow later in 2010, at which point you will have another opportunity to comment.
What is a Shared Surface?
The removal or lowering of a kerb that separates areas for vehicles and pedestrians creating a shared surface street.
The aim of a shared surface is to reduce the dominance of vehicles, making the area more ‘people-friendly’. Evidence shows that shared surfaces slow down traffic.
How to get involved?
Public consultation will begin in mid December 2009 until 30th January 2010:
Public Exhibitions to take place in the Borough Council’s shop on Gold Street from Thursday 14th to Saturday 16th January 2010.
Information Boards are located in the Customer Services Area at Kettering Borough Council on Bowling Green Road and Kettering Library on Sheet Street.
If you have any comments on the proposals:
Please fill in the online survey below - this will allow you to quickly and easily fill out a short questionnaire.
Alternatively you can download a response form to provide your views on the proposals. Please click on 'Supporting documents' below to download the form and return it to:
Infrastructure Team,
Development Services,
Kettering Borough Council,
Bowling Green Road,
Kettering,
NN15 7QX
Alternatively you can write to the above address or email planningpolicy@kettering.gov.uk
A leaflet explaining the proposals can also be downloaded by clicking on 'Supporting documents' below.
Thank you for taking the time to take part in this consultation.
The event is not currently available for consultation.