West Lancashire Borough Council and Lancashire County Council have worked in partnership to draw up exciting proposals. These aim to enhance the paved section of Moor Street, from the Clock Tower to the Moorgate junction, to make the town centre more attractive and to strengthen restrictions on vehicular access to Moor Street, Burscough Street, Aughton Street and Church Street between 10am and 4pm.
Proposals as part of the £700,000 project include a new square on Moor Street where a regular series of events could be organised, becoming a feature of the town where people can socialise
The scheme also includes proposals to completely resurface Moor Street, with new paving complementing that used in nearby Aughton Street and Church Street. Brand new seats, street lights, litter bins and tree planting would be provided with a new layout to accommodate the Moor Street market stalls.
The Councils are keen to seek the views of local people, businesses, traders and organisations and is inviting people to give their views from 30 June 2014 to 27 July 2014. An exhibition will be staged in Chapel Gallery Arts and Community Centre in St Helens Road, Ormskirk, on Thursday 3 July between 10am and 4.30pm when the designs will be on display and officers will be available to answer questions. Display boards from the exhibition and further information will continue to be available to be inspected at Chapel Gallery Arts and Community Centre until Saturday 5 July.
Information about the scheme will be available on the West Lancashire Borough Council website from 30 June where people will be able to find a questionnaire to give their views.
West Lancashire Borough Council is investing £265,000 in the scheme, plus an additional £40,000 from the High Street Innovation Fund. Lancashire County Council will provide £389,000 funding.
Councillor Martin Forshaw, portfolio holder for Planning and Development, said: “This is very exciting scheme which aims to build on the historic character of Ormskirk and improve one of the town centre’s busiest streets to make it much more attractive for shoppers, traders and residents. The Borough Council is committed to ensuring that our town centres remain vital and viable and the whole Borough will reap the benefit of this major investment. Strengthening restrictions on vehicular access will make the town centre an even more inviting place for people to come and shop.”
County Councillor John Fillis, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Our economy relies on town centres being places that people want to visit and spend time and money in.
"This scheme is just the start of an exciting time for Ormskirk as we also look to agree a strategy for wider improvements as part of our transport masterplan for West Lancashire which will result in further investment to secure the future prosperity of the town."