19 Sept 2007

Work set to get underway on £2.4m Maes improvements

Work will get underway in the next few weeks on a major scheme to improve and enhance Castle Square in Caernarfon town centre. This project is the latest in a series of initiatives to deliver a quality environment for Caernarfon and the surrounding area.

Following a formal tender process, Gwynedd Council have awarded the contract to Mulcair Civil Engineering Ltd who are based on Cibyn Industrial Estate in Caernarfon, and it is expected that the work will start on the landmark project during the coming weeks.

The scheme will deliver key environmental improvements. These include:

·       create a high quality multi-functional and flexible public open space to accommodate various functions
·       facilitate new traffic management measures to create a pedestrian friendly area which will draw people and                   businesses into the heart of Caernarfon

·       traffic management improvements on Bangor Street, Bridge Street, Poolside and Castle Hill.

Councillor Dafydd Iwan, who leads on Development on Gwynedd Council, said:
“These are exciting times for Caernarfon. This important development will form a linchpin between several strategic parts of the town including the Walled Town, the old industrial Slate Quay, the main retailing area and the new developments at the Victoria Dock.

“We are confident that the project will significantly improve the business environment in the town centre and help to stimulate Caernarfon’s economy throughout the day and on into the evening.”

Sioned Williams, Head of Gwynedd Council’s Economy and Regeneration Service, added:

“This major improvement scheme will re-affirm the Maes area’s status as the heart of the town and will greatly enhance the experience of visiting the town centre for local shoppers and tourists.

“We are confident that the development will bring significant benefits to the town’s shops and businesses. While we appreciate that the building work will be a slight inconvenience, we will be working hard to ensure that it does not affect local businesses.

“The fact that a Caernarfon based company will be undertaking the work is a further boost for the local area. It is very encouraging to see that local companies are able to demonstrate their competitiveness and capacities in competing for and winning major contracts.”

Gwyn Jones of Mulcair, said:

“We are delighted to have been awarded this contract and look forward to implementing this significant proposal for the town centre. We are looking forward to be working with the Council as well as business in the town centre over the contract period.

“We appreciate that the development of the Maes is a key regeneration project which will greatly enhance the historic environment. Every effort has been made to incorporate high quality materials into the scheme, and through local suppliers we will endeavor to use slate and granite quarried from within Gwynedd wherever possible.”

Technical stuff

The Maes scheme has been funded through £1.5 million from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Physical Regeneration fund; £411,000 from Visit Wales’ Tourism Growth Area initiative; £307,000 from the Assembly’s Department of Economy and Transport; and £225,000 directly from the Council.

The proposed scheme includes the following elements:
• improvements to the physical environment of the 1.3 acre Y Maes site, including resurfacing of the area with high   quality local traditional materials which complement the site’s setting adjacent to Caernarfon Castle;
• creation of a high quality multi-functional and flexible space to accommodate a variety of events and uses;
• introduction of a new traffic management scheme and traffic calming measures to minimise unnecessary traffic   movement in the town centre and establish pedestrian priority;
• removal of clutter from Y Maes and introduction of new street furniture and trees as well as relocation of statues;
• introduction of new lighting strategy and CCTV system to improve night time environment and safety;
• construction of new fountain;
• creation of a new coach drop off point and taxi rank;
• introduction of an effective signage / interpretation strategy (traffic and pedestrian) to promote the linkages between    the strategic parts of the town.