In line with the reopening of many businesses after the national lockdown, shoppers in Stockport town centre are now able to see the progress made on improvements to Underbanks.
During the winter lockdown, works have carried on improvements to the public realm, including the road and footpaths, in the Underbanks area of the town centre. Phase two of the scheme has now been completed in the Lower Hillgate/Little Underbank area: new street furniture, new street lighting, new paving and a new road surface are now all in place. New street furniture and lighting between Royal Oak Yard and the roundabout at Great Underbank will also soon be installed.
The scheme is being delivered by the Town Centre Access Plan in support of the ‘Rediscovering the Underbanks’ project. The scheme has also received support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Mark Glynn, Director of Place Management at Stockport Council, said:
We would like to thank businesses and residents for their continued patience, understanding and support while these works on the Underbanks have taken place.
“We appreciate it has been an incredibly difficult time for so many, and we are looking forward to welcoming businesses and visitors back to enjoy the benefits of the refurbished area.
“The Council is reviewing the longer-term vehicle access arrangements in the wider Markets and Underbanks area as we want to make sure it meets the needs of modern-day life and is a great place to live, work, play and connect.”
In March 2020, phase 1 of the works were completed between the automatic bollards and Royal Oak Yard. The road was resurfaced in coloured tarmac due to ongoing works to property nearby. Once those works have been completed, the coloured tarmac surface will be replaced with the same paving that has been installed at Little Underbank.
As was the case before the works began, vehicular access for residents, servicing and loading will be before 10.30am and/or after 4pm. The Pedestrian Zone applies between 10.30am and 4pm, which means that no vehicles are allowed to use the area.