Foundation work to start on Penrith’s new signage scheme

Work has started in Penrith town centre to lay the foundations for various signs to be erected under the new pedestrian movement scheme delivered by the Vitality of Penrith Group (VoP). The objective of the signage scheme is to guide, inform, engage and educate visitors and townsfolk alike, so they dwell longer and take time to mingle and find out new things about the Penrith.

The work to lay the foundations for these elements of the new street furniture will continue for two weeks. The concrete in the foundations will be left to ‘cure’ for 28 days and then work will commence again in mid September and last approximately two weeks to erect the signs upon the foundations. Accepting that we might get inclement weather, the plan is to complete all work by October 2012. All the works have been programmed to cause minimum disruption to residents and businesses. Access for pedestrians and vehicles will be maintained at all times.

Peter Ward, VOP’s Environment Champion said: “The work of the Vitality of Penrith to date has already made a real difference to the visual appearance of the town centre. The wayfinder signage will complement the existing work and help to enhance Penrith’s public spaces.”
The wayfinders are double sided signs, providing directional information for pedestrians on one side and information to promote the heritage of Penrith on the other. Eden District Council and Cumbria County Council have worked with Penrith and Eden Museum and Jo Scott, a specialist in heritage interpretation to provide heritage text and images that will appeal to a range of audiences in Penrith. The wayfinders and benches will also incorporate the newly designed logo, Penrith: Heart of Cumbria.

Eden District Council’s Leader, Councillor Gordon Nicolson said: “The new bespoke pedestrian ‘wayfinders’ and benches promotes the rich history of Penrith and will encourage shoppers and visitors to spend more time in Penrith, enjoying its unique retail offer from traditional specialist shops to new retail developments.”
Creative design company The Knack were appointed in April this year to design and manufacture the elements of street furniture. The manufacture is now almost complete. Brief details of the locations of the signs are:-
Wayfinders

·         Brunswick Road (pedestrian Entrance to Morrisons)

·         Poets Walk (top of steps )

·         Cornmarket (Near Bandstand)

·         Middlegate (opposite Lakeland Embroidery)

·         Middlegate (Opposite Tourist Information Centre/Museum)

·         Sandgate  (opposite Spar Shop/Telephone Box)

·         Friargate (bottom end of pedestrian path near Mansion House)

·         Newton Rigg (on C2C route)

Seating and Information Gondolas

·         Market Place (replace old seating near HSBC/red Telephone Boxes)

·         Bus Station (to replace old blue seating)

Mini Wayfinders

·         Sandgate (junction with Albert St)

·         Bluebell Lane Car Par (near pay and display sign - Middlegate entrance)

·         Morrisons Link (top of footpath link to town centre opposite the store)

·         Railway Station (footpath near bus shelter)

Redundant pedestrian signs will be removed as part of the work and in the Market Place and at the Bus Station benches will also be installed increase the amount of seating available.

Cumbria County Council Helen Fearon said: “The new signage is a key part of the improvements that are being delivered in Penrith town centre. Connecting the new developments with the town centre is essential in ensuring Penrith’s economy gets as big a boost as possible and the signage is a vital part of this scheme.”
Wayfinders designed to the same style and specification will be installed in New Squares by Sainsbury’s in the coming months.
VoP’s Pedestrian Movement Strategy was developed following a range of consultation events in Penrith with the public and businesses. Funding from Eden District Council and Cumbria County Council has been approved to allow the priorities of the strategy to be implemented.

For more information about the VoP Pedestrian Movement Strategy contact the Economic Regeneration Officer at Eden District Council telephone: 01768 817817.