Proposals
#OurFutureAshton Scheme Proposals
Proposal One: A new, rejuvenated market square in the heart of Ashton with an enhanced Garswood Street.
Providing an attractive destination in the heart of Ashton town centre. The new square will be an adaptable space that can provide a new market offer, host events, or be simply a welcoming and accessible space to relax and socialise.
Proposal Two: Safety and public realm improvement to Gerard Street.
New and improved pedestrian crossing points providing safe and accessible routes connecting between the spaces of the town centre. Public realm will include street trees, planting and seating, inviting people to dwell and spend time.
Proposal Three: Improving and better managing car parking facilities.
Retaining and enhancing the northern part of the Garswood Street car park with improvements made to facilitate local deliveries, and make the area more accessible for those walking, wheeling, and cycling
We are also considering a number of steps to improve the overall management of parking across the town centre and respond to concerns raised, including:
1). Introducing limited/short stay parking during the day on Garswood Street - this will benefit short stay shoppers/visitors looking to spend time in the town centre and reduce the number of cars parking all day without visiting the town centre businesses.
2) Improved signage throughout the town centre to direct visitors to alternative car parks - we know from surveys that there is underutilised parking capacity across many of the town centre car parks.
3) Adding capacity and making improvements to Albert Street car park (off Bolton Road), where there will be additional long-stay spaces created - this will offset some of the lost capacity on Garswood Street car park and will be the first phase of construction.
Building Grants and Public Art:
In addition to these three proposals the Council is working with local businesses on a Town Centre Building Grant Scheme, and public art around the town centre. A fund of around £500,000 has been made available to deliver a range of repair and conservation work to retail and other business premises within the town centre, particularly within the Conservation Area. The first of two funding rounds is already underway with a second planned for Spring 2025 (subject to funding).
Proposal One: A new, rejuvenated market square in the heart of Ashton.
A new multi-functional square in the heart of Ashton will create a new flagship destination to socialise, shop, play and relax. The square will provide space for market stalls and greenery. Care will be taken to make sure the market offer will be complementary to existing traders.
The multi-functional space will also provide a place for events and will be a focal point for residents, businesses, and visitors.
The new square will be in the southern end of the car park, with the northern area retained as a car park and enhanced with sustainable drainage and planting.
The square will be paved to a high quality, with seating and greenery. Street trees will offer more shelter and shade in the Summer and a tensile canopy will enable use throughout the year. Biodiverse planting will add colour and texture to seating areas around the square. Flexibility is key to the new square. It will be designed to facilitate a market offer, but also a place for community events and socialising.
Proposals seek to make a vibrant space in the middle of Ashton, where visitors and residents will want to dwell and make the most of our local businesses. The space will be safer, more inclusive, and include enhanced public toilets.
The square will be a centre piece for Ashton and a valuable community hub for all.
The northern part of the car park will be retained and enhanced, with improvements made to Garswood Street to facilitate local deliveries, and make the area more accessible for those walking, wheeling, and cycling.
Proposals will support existing businesses with loading bays and delivery access integrated into the design. This will balance the needs of local businesses and those enjoying the square.
The proposals for Garswood Street include the closure of the existing exit onto Gerard Street/ Liverpool Road - facilitating a pocket park, space for these businesses to spill out and a new crossing across Gerard Street/Liverpool Road. We are also proposing the closure of Market Approach to vehicular traffic, making it a step-free accessible vibrant gateway into the market square, with the addition of greenery. This may also allow greater opportunities for adjacent businesses to utilise the space.
Entry and exit from the retained car park will be along the northern part of Garswood Street onto Bryn Street. The central section of Garswood Street will be narrowed to provide a dedicated loading bay and widen pedestrian footway. At the southern end of Garswood Street we have incorporated a turning head and a further 3 loading bays, this has been designed to allow for larger delivery vehicles.
Proposal Two: Safety and public realm improvements to Gerard Street.
Proposals for Gerard Street include new public realm along both sides of the street to create a more attractive place to dwell. Raised crossings will be installed/improved, making it easier to cross and calming traffic, making the town centre a more pleasant place to walk and shop.
The public realm will include street trees and planting that will have a positive impact on the local environment and create spaces that are attractive and invite people to enjoy. Seating will be introduced to allow people to stop, relax and socialise, and will be used (along with planting) to discourage pavement parking.
The use of the same materials and design on Gerard Street, Market Approach and the Market Square will create a connection between the different spaces.
The pedestrianisation of Market Approach will make a safe and beautiful link between the new square and Gerard Street.
Proposal Three. Improving and better managing car parking facilities.
The northern part of the Garswood Street car park will be retained and enhanced, with improvements made to facilitate local deliveries, and make the area more accessible for those walking, wheeling, and cycling.
Introducing limited/short stay parking on Garswood Street car park, during the day, will benefit short stay shoppers/visitors looking to spend time in the town centre and reduce the number of cars parking all day without visiting the town centre businesses. Improved signage throughout the town centre will direct visitors to alternative car parks.
There is parking at Albert Street just off Bolton Road, but it is currently informal and unattractive. As part of the project, this car park will be properly surfaced and formalised, to create space for 39 long-stay bays which will offset some of the lost capacity on Garswood Street car park. The project could also present an opportunity to provide EV charging. Additional lighting will improve visibility and safety at night. These bays will provide additional parking provision to help offset some of the lost capacity as a result of reallocating space to the new square.
