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City Centre Improvements
Last updated: 11 May 2010 10:35 UKWe are planning to improve the Commercial Road area to offer shoppers and visitors a better environment. The improvements will cover the Commercial Road precinct and the eastern and southern ends of Edinburgh Road, which will be the new home for the city centre’s market.
The intention is for the work to be completed at around the same time as the Northern Quarter development. However this has required the majority of the project to be postponed whilst the Northern Quarter’s design is revised.
One of the project’s major proposals is a new public performance and meeting space at the corner of Commercial Road and Edinburgh Road, which could have a decorative canopy above it, suitable for projecting images and film. Another proposed feature is decorative ‘tramlines’ on the ground, possibly with inlaid lighting inspired by the city’s history. The lighting could even be changed on demand, by texting a special number.
The city market will get a new home in southern Commercial Road and eastern Edinburgh Road, with new stalls and improved facilities, making it even more of a focal point. On days when the market does not operate, there could be other events or markets.
Modern simple materials that will stand up to wear and tear are being proposed for seating, litter bins, other street furniture and paving. Lighting will be attached to buildings wherever possible, avoiding the clutter of lampposts. Some trees will be replaced with better specimens, but the overall number of trees will remain the same.
We are proposing to allow cycling outside the main shopping hours. Cycle parking is also planned for areas such as the corner of Station Street and Commercial Road, Crasswell Street and Edinburgh Road. Once completed, it is intended that the city centre improvements will seamlessly connect the Northern Quarter with Commercial Road.
For more information, please email: citycentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
