Lib Dems Plan for New Town Centre

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 14th Oct 2001

Bedford Borough Lib Dems have launched their imaginative proposals for revitalising Bedford's Town Centre. Councillor Rosemary Bootiman said "We have put forward our ideas and we now want to know what other people think."

We want to see a town that is vibrant, provides a quality, diverse shopping centre as well as a unique leisure experience. We want people to enjoy spending time in the town. With a wonderful history and culture and the river flowing through our centre we have much to start from. Please let us know your views so that we can ensure the best results for our town." The Lib Dem vision includes the following highlights: Riverside area (current market site)"

"Combining a high quality hotel, interactive historical experience and shopping, using a pedestrian linkway across the river and into the shopping area. Shopping Pedestrianise the High Street & St Pauls Square North, relocating and relaunching the market into the new St Paul's Square, and facilitating the development of the Bus station and Allhallows into a quality shopping area. Arts & Culture"

"Radically redevelop and extend the civic theatre to become a new performance venue, linking with a wider arts facility in the old town hall building. Transport"

"Provide a two-way traffic box around the town with assess to car parks on each corner, and introduce a simple small tram system along the embankment. Enhancing the River Enhancing the riverside leisure facilities, including from the west of the Town Bridge, and ensuring the new Bedford-Milton Keynes canal links through the centre of Bedford and provides a marina in the town.