A new public square that can be enjoyed by local people as they walk into Rochdale town centre has been created in a historic part of Townhead.
Funded by the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder and delivered by Rochdale Development Agency, the improvements near St James’s Place and Yorkshire Street improve an important gateway into the town centre.
The redeveloped square has new natural sandstone pavements, Yorkstone paving with benches, trees, litter bins and street lighting; and the fences of the listed St Mary’s and St James Ukrainian Catholic Church have also been spruced up.
The work has been welcomed by priest Father Ben of the nearby church who says they greatly improve the area for passers-by and visitors to the church. He said: “The area outside the church looks so much better now; the regeneration work has made a fantastic improvement. It helps the church stand out and makes the whole area much more welcoming.”
Traffic works were carried out in the area last year to improve the flow of vehicles through the junction and improve pedestrian crossing facilities. This pocket of unused land was left and a decision was made to give the area a face-lift. The Impact Partnership carried out the highway works and also managed the contractors during the improvement works to the public square.
Alastair Graham, Director of the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder said: “The new square is a big improvement, providing safer and more attractive access between the town centre and the East Central Rochdale regeneration area where money is being invested in new housing and refurbishments to existing properties.”
Janet Brooks of Rochdale Development Agency added: “Investing in gateways that link our town centre with other regeneration areas is important in improving the perceptions of residents and visitors to the borough.”
