£7m pound revamp of Coventry city centre finally approved

[dutchman]

Councillors have approved plans to make Broadgate a pedestrianised zone in time for the Olympics.



It comes days after Mercia revealed none of the bus companies using the area had objected to the proposals, which are part of a £7 million pound regeneration of Broadgate and the Bull Yard to get the city ready for hosting Olympic football next summer.

One of the most popular responses about Broadgate in a public consultation was that it should be made a public square, blocked off to vehicles.

Plans to fill in subways around the train station and replace them with a walkway over junction 6 of the ringroad have also been approved.

Some of the minor work has already began, with the whole project set to be completed in March, four months before the Ricoh Arena hosts its first football match as part of the London 2012 Games.

Council Leader John Mutton said: “Local people deserve a city centre they can be proud of and that’s what we want to deliver.”

“Best of all – this isn’t just talk, it will happen and happen fast – a fantastic new square designed by local residents – the people who know and love this city best.”

Reacting to the plans last month a National Express spokesperson said: “National Express Coventry is continuing to work closely with the City Council to help shape their proposals for the Broadgate and city centre road restrictions.”