Work on the final phase of the scheme to improve the Malakoff open space in St Ives is due to start at the beginning of October.
The first phase, which included the creation of a new bus layby and footway was completed earlier this year. Repairs have also been carried out on the car park steps and nearby parapet wall which were damaged by vehicle collisions.
Since then the project team have been working with stakeholders and the local community to finalise the designs for the second phase of the scheme which will include the provision of a new bus shelter, seating, paving and landscaping.
Following approval of the designs by the Town Deal Board and St Ives Town Council, work will now begin on delivering this final phase of the improvements on Monday, 6 October. Construction is expected to take up to six months to complete.
The first stage, which will be carried out between October and Christmas, will see work taking place to clear the site and install new drainage and structural foundations.
A new bespoke bus shelter will then be constructed, together with new granite paving, bespoke granite planters and benches, new street furniture, a new millwheel feature and lighting.
Once the iconic sculpture Epidauros II by Dame Barbara Hepworth, which was temporarily relocated to the Penwith Gallery during the works, has been returned to its rightful home at the Malakoff, the area will be fully resurfaced.
“We are committed to completing the scheme by the beginning of the summer “ said the Cormac Project Manager for the scheme. “While some traffic management measures will be required to create safe working space and to divert the pedestrian footway during the works, we will be doing our best to minimise disruption to the town “
“I am delighted to see work beginning on the second phase of this long-awaited scheme to improve the Malakoff “ said Andrew Baragwanath, Chair of St Ives Town Deal Board. “I would like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience over the past few months while the summer road works embargo was in place ”
“We hope that both local residents and visitors to the town will enjoy the finished scheme which will transform the Malakoff area into a modern, vibrant public space worthy of the Barbara Hepworth legacy “
The Malakoff scheme is being funded by the St Ives Low Carbon Transport Strategy which aims to reduce the impact of vehicles on St Ives and introduce measures that encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport. It is being delivered by Cornwall Council in partnership with the St Ives Town Deal Board.
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