High Town refurbishment rethink
Herefordshire Council is reconsidering design details of a £2 million scheme to breathe new life into Hereford High Town following a successful public consultation.
It is estimated that more than 1,000 people visited the eight-day public exhibition in High Town, held between February 10 – 18.
About 400 people responded in detail to the draft proposals for the layout and design of High Town street furniture.
Early indications are that the public would prefer to have existing, traditional street furniture refurbished rather than have too much modern stainless steel.
The results of the consultation will not affect the overall plans for the repaving of High Town or the time frame for the works programme.
Under those plans natural stones will be laid in the High Town area adjacent The Old House.
Here there will also be an area with a cobbled theme in keeping with the character of the historic building.
Cllr Brian Wilcox, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation), said: “The public consultation was a big success and I would like to thank everyone who took an interest – especially those who put their comments down in writing.
“Some useful constructive criticisms were made and we are looking very closely at that feed back to ensure the scheme is in keeping with the general consensus.
“We will reconsider design details in light of these findings and we are looking to incorporate the preferred choices into the street furniture element of the project.
“The public consultation has been built into the scheme’s overall time frame. Therefore, work will start as scheduled on repaving High Town after the May Fair as originally proposed.”
The refurbishment scheme is due to be completed towards the end, ahead of the Christmas shopping season.
The work programme is being arranged so that High Town will be works-free for the Three Choirs Festival so that this important event will not be disrupted.
