Road closures as work continues

Continuing work to transform Castleford town centre will see the temporary closure of two key town centre routes from next week. Sagar Street and the section of Carlton Street from Sagar Street to Bridge Street will be closed for six weeks from September 18 as work to replace town centre paving continues.

Contractors CR Reynolds (Construction) Ltd are making good progress with the scheme which is set to transform the town centre area for shoppers and traders as part of the Castleford Project.

The improvement scheme was designed by Hudson Architects and it complements the proposed £50m town centre redevelopment announced by Wakefield Council and its development partners Edinburgh House Estates. These plans are subject to planning approval. The work in Carlton St is due to be completed by mid November.

Chair of Castleford Town Centre Partnership Cllr Mark Burns – Williamson said: "We understand that these temporary closures will affect people's access to the town centre. But we ask people to be patient and bear in mind that this is necessary as the improvement scheme continues to move forward. Ultimately the town centre is being transformed for everyone's benefit and it is intended that Sagar St and the eastern end of Carlton Street will become areas for pedestrians only. Traffic regulation orders are currently being progressed to allow this to happen. We look forward to seeing the scheme complete, and apologise in the meantime for any inconvenience this work may cause."

Already complete as part of the Castleford Project is the first stage of development of the Regeneration Project Office on Sagar St; the first phase of improvements at The Green, a community park at Ferry Fryston; completion of the Cutsyke children's play forest; the first phase of improvements to a retail and residential town centre community on Wilson Street; the relocation of the town centre outdoor market; a new town underpass and the New Fryston new village green. There is also good progress towards achieving the remaining schemes including a new pedestrian river bridge.

The Castleford Project is a collaboration between Wakefield Council, Channel 4, key local national agencies involved in regeneration and the local community. It is supporting the development of 11 community improvement schemes which contribute to wider plans to improve the Castleford area.

Progress is being filmed for Channel 4 by independent TV company Talkback for a major TV series. Presenter is Kevin McCloud, best known as the face of Channel Four's 'Grand Designs'.

For more information please contact Carmel O'Toole on 07838 368813 or cotoole@channel.co.uk