Grantham Market Place is now fully open to through traffic after several months of roadworks to improve and revitalise the town centre.
The £1.8m project will drive footfall to town centre businesses and the market area in Westgate – and create a multi-use, social space for local people and visitors in the heart of town.
The project is funded from the £4.1m Grantham Future High Street Fund funding awarded to South Kesteven District Council in 2020 by what was then the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
The second phase currently under way will bring public realm work and highway improvements to the railway station approach, including Station Road/ Wharf Road/ Harlaxton Road and Sankt Augustin Way junction.
The Leader of South Kesteven District Council, Cllr Ashley Baxter, said: “We really appreciate the patience of traders and other local businesses during the past few months. I am delighted and relieved that the Market Place is fully open.
“Despite the inevitable disruption of the works, the Saturday market in Grantham continues to flourish with increasing numbers of stalls and traders. I would like to express my gratitude to council staff, and councillors, for their energy, resilience and passion.
“I know the improvements will support regeneration of this key area. We can now look forward to the new, fully accessible open space being used for the benefit of all our residents, businesses and visitors. The Council is proud to be hosting a ‘Festival of the Community’ event including a lantern parade on Saturday, 19th October.”
For reasons of safety, vehicular traffic was restricted during the Market Place works. However, pedestrian channels and local car parks remained opened while the works were undertaken, and to encourage visitors, the Council put on a series of activities and events and will continue to do so.
The Market Place improvement builds on previous projects to improve shop fronts to enhance the appeal of the town centre, and SKDC’s work to encourage more affordable housing in the town centre through upper-floor conversions.
Refurbishment and reopening of the Conduit Lane toilets is planned, which will support the completed work by providing a vital facility for those using the town centre.