Public Exhibition of Town Renovations

A series of renovations are completed or underway in parts of the city most heavily used by both "town" and "gown".

Magdalene and Bridge St is just the latest area to be considered for improvement. Proposals for the area include widened footpaths and rising bollards. Consultations between planners and the University started over six months ago and there have been meetings with the three colleges most directly effected, as well as local residents. Now detailed proposals are going on public display at the Guildhall where they can be viewed until Friday, 12 November. Feedback is welcomed and will be considered at a meeting of the Cambridge Area Joint Transportation Committee in January.

The seating area outside Great St Mary's Church, one of the improvements made during the renovation of King's Parade.

Meanwhile major renovations on King's Parade are now nearing completion - much to the relief of the many retailers and University and college staff in the area. The "face-lift" - which has been entirely paid for by the County Council - includes a widening of the pavements and the introduction of new cobbling and York stone paving. Part of the aim is to discourage unnecessary traffic in the area, with restrictions on access and permits needed for deliveries.

The project follows the successful renovation of Green St earlier this year. This was funded by a combination of the City, the retailers and the colleges that own parts of the street. Nick Bolton, Assistant City Centre Manager, described this as an "extremely successful partnership" and said that the "full co-operation of the colleges has been very important to the success of the project". Green St has been short-listed for an architectural award, with the results due later this year.