Fencing has been removed, permanent oak seating and bins installed – the finishing touches are being made to the new-look New George Street.
This key pedestrian area is now open as the regeneration of the city centre continues and to mark the occasion, Plymouth City Centre Company will this weekend host the first of many events in the new space now opened up at the corner of Old Town Street and New George Street.
Between 12 noon and 3pm on Saturday 19 October, the joint will be jumping to the tunes of the Hot House Combo, who will be playing a giddy blend of vintage charm and captivating rhythms inspired by the great musicians of the 1920s, '30s and '40s.
The city centre will also see some intriguing installations and happenings as part of the Plymouth Art Weekender – keep an eye out for a super-sized seagull stalking the area and a Paint Jam is also on the cards.
City Centre Company Chief Executive Steve Hughes said: “It’s been a roller coaster but the investment in this key city centre street is already bringing in new businesses.
“This new public area is modern, spacious and attractive and footfall is bucking the national trend. It is a great space and we can’t wait to fill it with events and happenings that will keep people coming back again and again.”
The massive makeover has transformed the dated eighties landscaping and in its place are
- islands of greenery
- 25 new semi-mature trees planted in addition to the four existing trees
- ornamental planting and rain gardens
- new granite paving to make the area more attractive, less tired and reduce the likelihood of trips and falls
- new street lighting taken off buildings to make it easier to maintain
- decorative lighting to create a wow factor after-dark
- additional CCTV cameras to improve coverage
- an events space at the junction of Old Town Street and New George Street with power and water for small events and performances.
A key element of the scheme is the ‘Sustainable Urban Drainage’ system (SUDs) to protect this major city centre street from future flooding incidents. Large holes have been dug and reinforced and layered with material to act like a giant plant pot. They hold rainwater which irrigates the new plants and trees.
A new storm water sewer has been created and excess water from the rain gardens feeds into the new system, taking rainwater away from the combined sewer and helping to guard against future flooding.
The scheme plays an important role in the city’s flood management strategy and its Climate Emergency Action Plan as the three rain garden tanks can hold 75.5 cubic metres of storm water. The footway levels slightly slope inwards from the buildings, so that rainwater can run off the new paving and into the rain gardens. The gardens capture and slow the water which then percolates down into storage areas installed underneath.
Other features now include 14 timber seats – some with arm rests and backs – and four free standing timber seats. The seat bases are solid English oak and the colour will steadily fade with the weather to a more silver hue. Bigger bins have been installed with clear signs so that people know what to put in which bin and more are due to arrive at the end of the month.
The new-look square in the corner of Old Town Street – which comprises a whopping 40,000 small chunks of granite or setts – is now finished. The pattern gives a nod to the pattern outside the Guildhall and his new square will provide a new location for pop-ups and events in the city centre.
There’s only a few matters to resolve such as installing the lighting and CCTV on top of the columns and some utilities issues – hence a few temporary tarmac patches – which are being sorted. Lighting includes decorative gobos which can project patterns onto the floor or nearby buildings.
The roads to the service yards are almost complete. The scheme has been designed for people, not traffic. The surface is all one level and looks like a pedestrian area but as deliveries are still needed to service the shops, the paving blocks are smaller – cobble-sized – to bear lorries and emergency vehicles. The large pavers are designed to withstand road sweepers and other window washers.
Contractors Morgan Sindall are now concentrating their efforts on Old Town Street and it is expected to be complete in around a month.
Councillor Mark Lowry, city centre champion said: “We’re getting there! I’m delighted – and relieved – that the end is now in sight for this scheme. It’s not been easy – especially for the businesses along these streets who have been extremely patient and understanding. We will be working hard to keep it spick and span.
“Plymouth has been rated the best place for growth by PWC – and our city centre, which is home to 7,000 employees and over 500 businesses is a massive part of this story.”