Hope Street - Public Realm Improvements
_tcm81-105825.jpg "Hope Street following the award-winning repaving work")
Hope Street connects the city's core to its main cultural, educational and Georgian quarters, and houses a number of regionally- and nationally-significant Higher Education institutions, cultural and heritage attractions and arts-based organisations in a highly unique and distinct heritage setting. And, of course, it runs between the city's two Cathedrals.
A £2.8m programme of improvements has been implemented, which included:-
- the re-alignment of footpaths and carriageway from Mount Pleasant to Upper Duke Street, with footpaths being widened where feasible;
- resurfacing/repair of Yorkstone footpath paving and resurfacing of the highway;
- re-alignment of junctions to improve crossings, including introduction of pedestrian-crossing facilities on the major Hope St/Hardman St/Myrtle junction;
- creation of dedicated meter-controlled parking bays and permit-controlled parking bays for residents throughout the full length of the Street;
- creation of the 'Philharmonic Square' and dedicated drop-off zone outside the Philharmonic Hall;
- creation of 'Mount Street Triangle' - an extended and upgraded public realm space at the junction of Hope Street and Mount Street;
- new street lighting, street furniture and cycle racks.
The scheme provides a tangible set of benefits to residents, businesses, community organisations, visitors, investors and students and academics through improved pedestrian/vehicular movement, environmental quality and safety.
In detail it:-
- maximises Hope Street's strengths as a unique visitor destination and business location of regional- ands national-significance;
- safeguards current and future patronage of existing regionally/nationally-significant cultural facilities;
- reinforces the area's investment potential;
- helps improved linkages and movement to/from the city core along key corridors eg. Duke Street;
- safeguards and adds value to other recent and ongoing investment in the area such as the Metropolitan Cathedral Plaza, Hope Street Hotel, etc;
- improves feelings of safety/security for all users;
- delivers improvements in time for the European Capital of Culture in 2008.
Work was carried out to allow for a 60-year design life for all materials and specified low energy lighting. Materials were obtained where possible from sustainable sources, with specific re-use of original Yorkstone footpath paving or the retention of existing footpaths.
In 2007, the Hope Street Public Realm scheme won the LGN (Local Government News (will open a new window)) Highways Award 2007. This rewards excellence in highway improvement design. The scheme was also a finalist in the Horticulture Week Awards 2007.
Map showing project location
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