Front Street improvement works to get underway next month

Work to improve Front Street will start next month after designs shaped by the community were approved at a decision session on 24th September.

A drop-in session is being held on Thursday 26 September at the Gateway Centre from 3pm to 6pm with residents and businesses invited to meet the team and find out about what’s happening and when.

Councillor Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader of City of York Council and Executive Member for Culture and Economy said:

“This is a significant step forward and I want to thank everyone in the community, and the Council teams, who have helped us to get this far.

“We need to move at pace as the UK Shared Prosperity Funding stipulates that the cash must be spent by the end of March 2025. This is funding awarded specifically for the regeneration of our local high streets and we are not allowed to spend it on anything else, such as fixing potholes. So, it’s a case of use it on this scheme, or lose it.

“I encourage everyone who is interested in the project to pop into the session at the Gateway Centre on Thursday 26 September any time between 3pm to 6pm. As we have already demonstrated, we will continue to work with the community. With construction starting next month we’ll work with local businesses and residents to support them while we make the changes to the area.

“Of course, Front Street remains open for trade while the improvements take place, and I would urge everyone to support the fantastic businesses located there and keep on using Acomb and Westfield’s main shopping street throughout the works.

“We thank everyone for their patience while we carry out these important improvements. I can’t wait to see the difference these changes will make to an area that is already on the up.”

In October 2023, the council’s Executive approved £570,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) money for phase 2 improvements to Front Street in Acomb. Earlier this year, residents, visitors, businesses and other stakeholders were invited to share their priorities and provide feedback on ideas for phase 2. This process received 900 individual responses and over 5,000 comments.

The work will bring about significant changes to the area following feedback from the local community with:

• An increased ability to hold events and community activities, including with new electrical point being installed. Carriageway resurfacing and the ability to close the road will also help create a more friendly space.
• Wider and more accessible pedestrian crossings, including creating a new central space in the main shopping area and a new pedestrian crossing near Morrisons.
• Around two thirds of the bollards being removed. Any bollards that are removed will be saved and used on other projects as needed.
• Clearly marked, accessible Blue Badge car parking in four locations, supported by enforcement to prevent the misuse of these spaces.
• More seating, bins, a community notice board and planting in the main shopping area and welcoming entrance points.
• On top of the construction works taking place in the coming months feasibility study will be carried out to look at pedestrianising the area in the future and the council is working to commission a community mural from a professional artist.

Businesses will be open as usual and the council is working to support them with deliveries.

• Front Street will be closed to vehicles from 7 October for up to four weeks while work to install the wider crossings takes place.
• Between 19 and 22 November Front St will close again to vehicles for resurfacing works.
• Cross Street will be closed from 4-15 November between 7.30am and 4pm to allow for the Blue Badge spaces to be created there.
• 19 and 20 November Cross Street will be closed all day for resurfacing work.