Approved scheme, Phase 2, October 2024
The final Phase 2 scheme was approved at a Decision Session Executive Member for Economy and Culture on 24 September 2024. The report including annexes covering costings, an Equalities Impact Assessment, You Said: We Did, Draft wayfinding seating and planter visuals, and detailed highway plans can be read in the session agenda minutes.
Key Components of Phase 2
See more plans on the following:
- activities and events
- welcoming entrances
- new central space
- bollards and highway signage
- feasibility study for a people friendly street
- improved Blue Badge car parking
- placemaking, identity and public art
- connect to the older section of Front Street
- wayfinding
- planters and seating
- toilet upgrade
Activities and events
You said: Your highest priority was to be able to hold more events and community activities in the street
Phase 2: Will install an electrical event column, a community notice board to advertise activities & events, and set up an initial permit (multiple event Temporary Traffic Restriction Orders) to make it easier for groups to close the road to run events in addition to the popular monthly market. The council’s Community Development Officers will become the contact point for community groups to run events post completion of phase 2 scheme
Welcoming entrances
You said: Make the entrances to Front Street more people friendly, welcoming and inviting
Sketch to show how the new wide crossing near Halifax bank could look, Copyright Urban Glow Design 2024
Phase 2:
- York Road entrance (Halifax Bank) - Create a wider (6 metre) and more accessible pedestrian crossing (raised table) to help the shopping area feel like a space for people rather than cars when the road is closed to traffic. This will include a new wheelchair tactile paving. In the evening, the raised tables would slow vehicles down (20mph speed limit). We will improve accessible parking by clearly marking and designating the blue badge spaces, and will review signage, remove clutter, and provide more seating and planting
Sketch to show how the west end entrance could look, Copyright Urban Glow Design 2024
- west end entrance (Gateway Centre) - You told us that the west end of Front Street is the entrance that most pedestrians use, so we will create an additional welcome gateway here with a welcome totem, reduced signage, new seating area and planting
New central space
You said: Create a people focused space in the main shopping area.
Sketch to show how the new central space could look, Copyright Urban Glow Design 2024
Phase 2: We worked with urban designers to design a new wide raised crossing flush with the pavement to create a more pedestrian focused character, to improve accessibility and to create a more a people focused ‘central space’ for large parts of the day. The new 20 mph speed limit will help to reduce vehicle speeds and build a greater sense that the main shopping area is a place for people when the traffic gate is open. The number of bollards will be reduced and the space will be framed with new seating, planters and the new electrical column will be located here to facilitate future events.
Bollards and highway signage
You said: Review the bollards and declutter the highway.
Phase 2: Around two thirds of the bollards will be removed and replaced by street furniture such as bins, seating and planters to protect the kerb line and deter illegal parking on the pavements. Highway signage will be reviewed, the “Ahead only” markings will be removed from the road, and the carriageway will be resurfaced.
Feasibility study for a people friendly street
You said: Some people would like to create a more people friendly street in the longer term, whilst others oppose further pedestrianisation.
Phase 2: Will commission a feasibility study to consider options for further reducing vehicle dominance in the shopping area in the future. Traffic count surveys have been undertaken to quantify pedestrian, cycle and vehicle movements in the area before and during proposed construction, to inform the feasibility study.
Improved Blue Badge parking
You said: The current blue badge car parking spaces do not meet accessibility standards and are frequently misused by non-blue badge holders.
Phase 2: Will create clearly marked, accessible Blue Badge parking supported by enforcement to prevent the misuse of these spaces across four locations: Front Street near Halifax bank, School Street, Cross Street and two new parallel Blue Badge parking spaces in the layby near Cross Street toilets. This will result in 6 accessible blue badge spaces to replace the current 7 non-compliant bays.
Placemaking, identity and public art
You said: A more colourful place, with a joined up approach to promote Acomb’s offer as a whole, and as a destination.
Phase 2: The Greater Acomb Community Forum designed a new brand/ identity for the forum and invited us to incorporate the design into the Front Street regeneration work to create an identity for Acomb. The name Acomb derived from the Old English ‘acum’ meaning 'at the oak trees', and the logo depicts a heart-shaped acorn and oak leaf, representing Acomb's heritage, diversity, and community love. This community-led design was welcomed by the council and residents.
We will also commission a professional artist(s) to work with the community on a public art project such as a mural and painted utility cabinets.
Connect to the older section of Front Street
You said: Front Street has two distinctive areas, the shopping area, and the older village section which are currently separated by a vehicle dominated space.
Phase 2: Will help to connect the main shopping area to the older section of Front Street and Explore library by:
- improving the pedestrian experience by creating a new formal crossing point between the Morrisons junction and the roundabout where people currently cross informally. This involves removing one set of railings to allow pedestrians to cross in a direct line, adding tactile paving, and enlarging the existing middle island so people can cross more safely in two stages
- creating a new resting point for pedestrians by locating seating outside Acomb Working Men’s Club
Wayfinding signage
You said: Signpost to community and cultural facilities and green spaces outside of the shopping area too.
Phase 2: The new signage will be anchored from two new entrance totems. Wayfinding signs will help to connect amenities such as the park on the green, public toilets and Explore library, and will create a joined up approach to promote Acomb’s offer as a destination.
A logo and colour palette for Front Street has been developed and will be incorporated into phase 2 as a new identity for the area, including the signage.
Planters and seating
You said: More seating, bins and planting.
Phase 2: Aims to balance replacing sufficient bollards to declutter the space, whilst not creating another barrier with more seating and planters. Careful review of style, size and placement of street furniture has been undertaken to a more welcoming space. We are working with local community groups on the selection and care of new planters and trees.
Toilet upgrade
You said: Improve the current tired and damaged toilet block on Cross Street.
Phase 2: Upgrade the facilities to provide two new accessible unisex toilets (with right and left hand transfer options). The new cubicles provide baby changing tables, new LED lighting, water saving units and new additional external lighting to respond to the community feedback raised in survey.