Talks to remove Broadgate's ramp to nowhere underway

Local, national, international and oddball news stories

Talks to remove Broadgate's ramp to nowhere underway

Postby dutchman » Sun Mar 26, 2017 8:46 am

Discussions are underway about removing a city centre walkway to create a clear path to Broadgate

Image

Coventry City Council’s business chief has revealed that talks are ongoing about the possibility of removing the ramp which joins the higher level of the Upper Precinct with Broadgate.

Labour Councillor Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for business, told the Telegraph conversations had been held about the ramp with JP Morgan, which owns the Upper Precinct, after dialogue had been opened over the possibility of removing the escalator to West Orchards Shopping Centre on the site.

He said there were no specific plans agreed yet and that the move would require “careful and considerate” conversations with businesses in the area - particularly the jewellers Ernest Jones, which occupies a unit underneath the ramp.

The ramp starts at Broadgate, opposite Cathedral Lanes, and runs to the higher level of the Upper Precinct, above Ernest Jones.

Cllr O’Boyle said: “I have held conversations with the owners of the precinct, JP Morgan. They are very keen to work with people to return the precinct to its former glory.

“It’s a move away from the position of the previous owners who did not want to make any particular changes.

“We have also spoken to West Orchards Shopping Centre because for it to work their centre would be slightly encroached if we were to get rid of the escalator.”

Cllr O’Boyle said: “No decision has been taken, but it is something we would want to work on over the next 18 months to two years. “It’s now about putting the pieces of the jigsaw together.”

The Upper Precinct was designed by architect David Gibson who was responsible for city centre development after the damage of Second World War bombs.

It was built between 1948 and 1955 and believed to be the first pedestrian shopping precinct in Europe.

There has been a campaign to return it to the original design, opening up the area.

Cllr O’Boyle said: “Removing the ramp would be the logical next step to returning the site to the Gibson model.”

He added: “One of the biggest criticisms of the city centre is that it’s inside out.

“The wider plans, including City Centre South, would open up an almost circular route from Hertford Street, along the precinct, left at the fountain and back to Friargate.”

Cllr O’Boyle said: “There are shops that would need to be involved and agree to be carefully relocated.

“We receive not insignificant rent from the Ernest Jones property and we need to make sure need to make sure we do it considerately and with care.

“There are also leases and contracts that need to be respected.”

Cllr O’Boyle said: “Where there is a will there is a way.

“There is a Regional Growth Fund, there are funds from the West Midlands Combined Authority and owners and developers would be involved themselves.

“This is about us as a council wanting to improve the public realm.”

Image
User avatar
dutchman
Site Admin
 
Posts: 50287
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:24 am
Location: Spon End

Return to News

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 7 guests

  • Ads