Gwynedd Council gives Caernarfon a boost

Plans for a major revamp of Caernarfon town centre – including the main shopping street, access routes and public transport hub – are on the cards and input by the people who live and work in the area is needed to make the best of the opportunity.

Gwynedd Council has secured European funding for a regeneration project in Caernarfon and the process of public consultation is now underway to gather information and ideas on the way ahead.

Drop-in sessions will be held on Caernarfon’s Castle Square on Friday and Saturday, 16-17 October between 11am and 4pm.

This will be an opportunity for people to talk to Gwynedd Council officers and consultants from Gillespies, who have been contracted to work on the project.

Some of the areas of Caernarfon which are due a revamp under this project include:

• Improving at how people get around Caernarfon, on foot and by car, by looking traffic management and access routs along Bangor Street, Bridge Street and Castle Square.
• Improving the look and feel of Pool Street.
• Improving the town’s bus station at Poolside.

These drop-in sessions play a vital role in the wider consultation process. Workshops will also be held with community groups and other organisations which have an interest in the town to obtain a wide spectrum of opinions and ideas.

An exhibition of the initial plans following this process will go on public display in November.

Leader of Gwynedd Council, Councillor Dyfed Edwards, said: “This is an exciting time for Caernarfon as we look forward to the next chapter for the town and its people.

“We are confident that improvements to the townscape will contribute to the vitality and viability of the town centre and strengthen investor confidence – from larger chain-stores to smaller, independent retailers. All this will make for a vibrant town we can all be proud of.

“I would urge the people of Caernarfon to get involved and help shape the future of their town.”

Photograph: Caernarfon Town View. Photograph © Brian Mottershead