Your views wanted on Coventry City Centre redevelopment

[dutchman]

Coventry City Council is urging residents to comment on city redevelopment plans tied to the legacy of 2012.



A £7m package of proposals is being discussed, including a new square for Broadgate, improvements to routes into the city centre and changes to Bull Yard.

The council's aim is for improvements to the area to be completed in time for the Olympic Games and Coventry Cathedral's 50th anniversary, both of which will be celebrated in 2012.

From Monday, 24 January , you will have two weeks to see plans and make comments to council staff at a temporary exhibition in the city centre.

As a preview, we have a number of the proposal images online here .

Olympics link

Coventry will be an important focus for Olympics activity, hosting Olympic football at the Ricoh and the Godiva Awakes project.

Cllr John Mutton, Leader of Coventry City Council said; "In 2012 the eyes of the world will be on us, so this is an ideal opportunity to continue to focus on the regeneration of the city centre and transform the historic heart of the city centre.

"It isn't just about being a host city, it's about making sure we provide something for local people - a lasting legacy everyone can be proud of.

"We are planning this work in a difficult economic climate - when government spending cuts are making things very challenging for us. But I believe that it is vital that we focus on the future."

An application for funding of £3.5m from the European Regional Development Fund has been approved in principle, with investment also coming from local transport plan funding.

Street plans



The proposed changes would affect pedestrian routes into the city centre. Cllr Mal Mutton explains: "This includes filling in some horrible subways between the station and the city centre - which are probably the most unwelcoming greeting any city could give its visitors."

Martin Yardley, Director of City Services and Development for the Council said: "…residents have great ideas about what works and what doesn't… we are hoping they'll continue to help us by helping to design a new Broadgate for 2012. This is the first step on the beginning of the journey that will help us turn our vision for the city centre into a reality."

Your say

People can take part in the consultation by looking at the images on the Coventry City Council's Flickr stream or visiting an exhibition of the plans at the former Bakers Oven store in the city centre. We have also got the most striking of the proposal images here in an online gallery.

The shop will be staffed by council officers who can answer questions about the plans. It will open from 24 January to 5 February, Monday to Saturday 10am to 3pm.

"I'll be popping into the shop when I can," said Cllr Duggins, Deputy Leader of the Council "Coventry people care passionately about their city and its future - that's why we will listen to what the people want."

[dutchman]

[StevieG]

Clarify a point, I thought the Olympics were being held in London

[dutchman]

Clarify a point, I thought the Olympics were being held in London

Football is to be played at the city's Ricoh Arena and athletes are to train at the University of Warwick as part of the 2012 Games.

[StevieG]

Dutchy - The Ricoh & Uni. are not in the City Centre

[dutchman]

Dutchy - The Ricoh & Uni. are not in the City Centre

But people coming to Coventry for the Olympics might visit the City Centre.

[PoundShopPeter]

What's happened to the Jerde thing? Please don't tell me it was all a big pipe dream