First look at Â£500K town centre revamp

Images of Carlton and Sagar Street in Castleford as part of a scheme to revamp the town centre by Wakefield Council.

People can see the artist’s impression of the plans, which show improvements to Carlton Street and Sagar Street, at a public consultation run by Wakefield Council.

The plans will be on display at Castleford Forum Library for two weeks, and detail a revamp of the pedestrian areas for shoppers and traders on both streets.

Coun Denise Jeffery, deputy leader of Wakefield Council, said the plans, which aim to increase footfall in the area, will help “revitalise” the town centre.

Under the scheme, footpaths in the streets will be repaved, new furniture and lighting columns installed and new trees will be planted.

Coun Denise Jeffery, cabinet member for economic growth and skills, said: “Redeveloping these key retailing areas of Castleford will help to revitalise the general area and improve it for shoppers and traders.

“I hope people take this opportunity to visit the exhibition and have their say on these plans.”

The council said rising bollards will have new feature lights at the entrances to each street to create a “gateway effect” and give pedestrians priority on the pathways during the day.

The plans will be on display at the Carlton Street library until July 1.

And people can have their say and share their views by commenting on the plans at the exhibition.

Work on the plans is expected to cost around £560,000.

The council could also carry out a feasibility study, in partnership with West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service.

That study aims to explore how to interpret the buried archaeological remains of the Roman Bath-House.

The latest scheme comes after plans to build the £135m Five Towns Park in Glass Houghton were approved last year.

Retailers Next, Primark and Marks & Spencer have all announced plans to open new stores on the site.

The development at Glass Houghton will include a new 10,000 capacity stadium for Castleford Tigers, a 50-acre country park, shops and restaurants and a petrol station.

Lateral Property Group was granted planning permission to develop land next to junction 32 of the M62, close to the Xscape leisure complex in Glass Houghton in 2015.

Work is due to begin on the site later this year.

It is expected to be completed in 2019.