VISITORS will be encouraged down to Chester’s riverside through an improved pedestrian link in a project totalling £606,000.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is funding public realm works at The Groves and near the new HQ building.
Visitors walking along the riverside promenade in front of County Hall will be enticed across the road at the Old Dee bridge by new cobble-effect surfacing in place of the current asphalt.
Bollards, where people currently enter the riverside area, will be moved closer to The Groves in line with the start of the walkway, creating a more pedestrian-friendly entrance.
The NWDA is also taking the opportunity to enhance the quality of public space surrounding the new £80million HQ development.
Liberty Properties is fulfilling its obligations to carry out improvement works but the NWDA investment will fund new York stone footpaths and landscaping for remaining areas.
Liberty Properties has contributed to improvements to Grosvenor roundabout and provided a bus lay-by. They are also providing public seating areas including the central piazza within HQ.
Located on the site of the former Cheshire Constabulary headquarters, HQ will feature an 80-bed Abode hotel, a restaurant, 34 apartments and offices acquired by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Rita Waters, chief executive of Chester Renaissance said: “These works are all part of the Chester Renaissance programme, which aims to conserve and enhance the city’s historical assets and attract both private sector investment and visitors. I am delighted that NWDA has been able to provide this level of investment to Chester.”
