Contractors are making the final improvements to Ashbourne’s Market Place, which is being pedestrianised and upgraded as part of the UK Government funded Ashbourne Reborn programme. The changes are designed to create a vibrant and welcoming space for events and an inviting environment for residents and visitors to enjoy, in the heart of the town centre.
The Highways and Public Realm project, led by Derbyshire County Council, is transforming the historic town centre with wider pavements, clearer pedestrian crossings and improved public spaces. In the Market Place, the completed space will feature new trees, restored historic setts, improved lighting and contemporary street furniture, including new seating and cycle stands. Areas of asphalt will also be replaced with limestone setts to match existing materials and local character.
New bollards are also being introduced to help make the Market Place a safer space, particularly for events. The measures were proposed after Derbyshire Police identified a need to protect pedestrians from vehicles, particularly during public events and gatherings.
The changes will see new access arrangements at the entrance to the Market Place, designed to slow vehicle movements and increase pedestrian priority following the removal of car parking. During events, the Market Place will be closed to vehicles. However, access for deliveries to businesses will be maintained at other times. The ‘glide’ bollard system to be installed at the entrance to the Market Place, also used at Chesterfield’s historic Market Place, has been designed and supplied by a local Ashbourne firm.
Works in the Market Place are expected to largely complete in time for the Christmas lights switch-on event on Saturday 15 November. The regeneration will enable a wide variety of events in the future, and local Ashbourne Reborn partners are working on a programme of events and activities for when the work is complete.
Although the pedestrianised Market Place will no longer be used as a car park, a number of short stay spaces will be retained around the southern and western edges of the Market Place which visitors can use to park for free for up to 30 minutes (with additional time for disabled users). Two disabled bays will be formally reinstated, and a new area for motorcycle parking will also be provided on the southern edge of the Market Place.
Alternative car parks are available at the Cattle Market, which has been reduced to a flat rate of £2 per day, Cokayne Avenue, Shawcroft, the Bus Station, Leisure Centre, and Clifton Road. Additional on-street car parking bays, including disabled bays will also be created elsewhere in the town centre.
Ashbourne Reborn is a programme made up of two projects aimed at transforming Ashbourne town centre through significant improvements to highways and public realm and the development of the Link Community Hub. It is funded by UK Government via the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) with match funding raised locally, including significant funds raised from Ashbourne Methodist Church members, friends and grants, as well as grant giving organisations and local businesses.
Derbyshire Dales District Council is the Accountable Body for Ashbourne Reborn, Derbyshire County Council is responsible for delivering the Highways and Public Realm project and Ashbourne Methodist Church the Link Community Hub. These partners work in collaboration with Ashbourne Town Team, Ashbourne Town Council and AshCom who brought forward proposals, identified opportunities and raised match funding for the original bid.
To receive email updates, sign up for the newsletter at the District Council website www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/enewsreg (tick the box for Ashbourne Reborn), or visit the Ashbourne Reborn website www.ashbournereborn.co.uk for the latest news, FAQs and detailed information about the project.
