Work got under way this week on a £2.5M new-look square in Luton, the start of a £4bn investment in the town’s regeneration.
The St George’s Square project is part of ~Luton Borough Council~ 's plans to improve the town’s roads and public spaces to accompany the housing growth planned for the Milton Keynes-South Midlands sub-region.
Luton said the design was for a contemporary square framed by mature trees and featuring two distinctive granite terraces lit by a 20m lighting column. The aim was to create a central space for hosting entertainment, events and festivals, markets and a café, and a programme of street arts throughout the year.
Contractors Fitzpatrick is removing around 30 trees in the square before birds started nesting. They will be replaced at the end of the project with 40 semi-mature fastigiate hornbeams, species chosen for their suitability in a town centre environment. Work on the project will begin on 20 March.
Cllr Andy Srange, executive portfolio holder for the built environment, said the upgrade would provide ‘a public space that will be much better used’. It was the first step of a £4bn public-private regeneration programme would provide a benchmark for the projects that follow.
Meanwhile, Luton said it had ‘leapt into action’ on the £22M East Luton Corridor project to upgrade the road between Luton Airport and junction 10a of the M1, which the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed funding for last week (Surveyor, 23 February). The dualling of the A1081/A505 will provide segregated bus lanes and help the airport achieve its target of serving 30M passengers by 2030.
Trees are being removed – again, ahead of the bird nesting season – before construction work is expected to start in June. Luton is aiming to select a bidder for the contract in May, and the estimated completion date is March 2008.
A further £13M of investment, still subject to final government confirmation, will be used to revamp the station and to improve its environs in order to create a better impression for visitors when they arrive.