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Canal Walk
Public Realm
Step two is the development of Canal Walk,
a £3.9 million scheme to improve one of
Swindon’s busiest shopping streets, which has
been made possible by Government Growth
Point Funding and a £2.8 million contribution
Councillor Phil Young, Lead
pull to shoppers, workers and those who may from the South West Regional Development
want to live here. Careful design and Agency. Already underway, this new public
Member for Regeneration at
management of public areas can result in facing area will provide a vibrant, accessible
increased footfall in town centres, specifically in street scene, encouraging visitors and shoppers
Swindon Borough Council,
terms of the retail and business sectors and in to come to Swindon as an exciting destination in
takes a look at why public
increasing demand for these, we can ensure that its own right, as well as a major shopping area.
uptake of space in new mixed use developments In making this massive investment into the
spaces are so important and
will be high. This is why, along with the improvement of Canal Walk we are aiming to
how they are changing
implementation of a multi-million regeneration provide benefits for all who use the town centre;
programme, we are focusing on improving all our work will focus around a clear design ethos.
Swindon for the better.
public realm facilities. A clean, uncomplicated and simple design
Development of Swindon’s public realm has has been created to transform the staid and
S
windon is in the middle of a been ongoing for several years, as Swindon dated character of the existing Canal Walk.
multi-million pound regeneration Borough Council, the Commissioning Authority, The design combines the key themes of nature,
programme which will recreate a drives forward the agenda for change; already climate and technology, and will bring with it a
vibrancy and animation that has we are really beginning to see a difference. new water feature, living green walls and street
been missing from the town centre lighting that changes colour depending on
for a long time. A major part of this Wharf Green weather conditions.
redevelopment programme is a scheme to The town reached a milestone with the With Canal Walk due for completion in
improve public realm facilities. delivery of Wharf Green. This development March 2010, plans are already underway for
Public spaces, those outdoor facilities that are includes a new and improved public realm: the next phase of public realm development.
used by shoppers, visitors, and workers every paving, street furniture, lighting and public facility Work will begin in early next year on Regent
day, are essential elements in creating a refurbishment, things that are of real benefit to Street. Using the history of the area for
distinctive and positive perception in any town local people. The area is now cleaner, more inspiration, plans have been created focusing
centre. That is why improving public realm useable and has a much safer feel about it and on the old trams that once travelled up and
facilities must play a key role in delivering is attracting more and more people every day. down the street, and new outdoor facilities will
successful regeneration schemes. A key part of Wharf Green is Big Screen have somewhat of a heritage railway feel as a
In offering a better environment for those who Swindon; the giant BBC screen which is used to result of the development of paving and
use town centres, and providing better settings broadcast live events and a mixture of local and groundwork symbolising old tram lines.
for new developments which are being created national material. The BBC’s Last Night of the Further improvements will include interactive
as part of regeneration frameworks around the Proms was beamed live in Wharf Green recently, lighting, new street benches and trees and the
UK, we can ensure truly successful town centre where locals turned up to celebrate the event, removal of old trees and phone boxes to
redevelopment which will have a long-term demonstrating the fact that Swindon town centre de-clutter the area and encourage full use of
positive effect. is where people want to spend their time. the street.
In Swindon, we have aspirations to create a
twenty-first century town centre that offers a real The Vision
We want to create a better
shopping district by modernising
pedestrian streets, providing a unique
identity and quality environment
through the use of good design and
integrated artwork. We will be striving
to reconnect the town centre with the
surrounding countryside and above
all we want to improve Swindon’s
economic sustainability by
revitalising the shopping area and encouraging
inward investment.
Our vision for Swindon is to create a town
centre that is attractive to visitors, workers and
local residents alike. Good quality public areas
are key elements in achieving this. Public areas
are the lynch-pin of any town centre
redevelopment project, streetscapes link every
street, square and alley in a town centre creating
a successful town centre.
Those bodies that are responsible for
improving towns and cities around the UK must
be committed to providing locations which are
great to live in, great to spend time in and places
in which businesses can thrive. Experience has
shown success for us, and the public realm will
continue to play an integral role in our wider
plans for the regeneration of Swindon
town centre.
Enquiry N
o
200
32
Enquire via:
Our online database Post using See inside back cover and
at www.cpbsonline.eu Enquiry Card Fax to 01435 863897
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