STALYBRIDGE’S heritage walkway is finally set to be put in place towards the end of the year and early next year.
However, work to repair and replace the roof on the town’s Civic Hall has been put back until at least 2023.
Much has been made of the project, on Market Street, since a £1.1 million budget, with £610,000 coming from Historic England, was announced.
However, Tameside Council revealed it is now all systems go, with materials being sourced and an end date of March.
A report to its Strategic planning and capital monitoring panel, states: “Formal confirmation has now been received from Historic England that the design of the scheme and materials to be used are acceptable.
“The project has now progressed to the delivery stage.
“The Stalybridge High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ), funded through a £1,275,000 grant from Historic England and £1,275,000 match funding from the council, is helping to regenerate areas of the town centre and restore the town’s local historic character by deliver physical improvements and cultural activities.
“This scheme has been designed by the council’s engineering design team to reflect the current situation with regards to availability and cost of materials, achieve best value and secure maximum benefit for the wider scheme and Stalybridge town centre.
“The council has worked to engage and take on-board the advice from Historic England. Delivery and installation of the work is expected between September 2022 and March 2023.”
Another part of the Stalybridge project will see the Civic Hall roof replaced after it was found a seven-figure sum would be needed to cover it.
However, the work has been delayed until next year after the town was named Town of Culture 2022 and it was needed for events.
That, though, may end up costing the authority even more money – and it will be included in the bid for £20 million from the government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The report added: “The work on the restoration of the roof at Stalybridge Civic Hall is intended to be reprogrammed to early 2023 to allow for the full use of the Civic Hall for events linked to the Town of Culture 2022.
“At this point the financial impact on the delay has yet to be determined. Discussions are ongoing to ensure that the re-programming of the scheme does not have a negative impact on the scheme, the Council’s Capital Programme or the funds provided by Historic England.
“However, given the rising cost of construction inflation and specific requests made by Historic England then its inevitable costs will increase above the available budget.
“In order to mitigate the impact on the Council’s Capital Programme the intension is to seek a contribution to the roof scheme from the emerging Stalybridge Levelling Up Fund round 2 bid.”
- See the plans for Market Street, Stalybridge, and have your say at Stalybridge Civic Hall (Market Hall) Wednesday, August 3 from 3 – 7pm.
The High Street Heritage Action Zone funded Heritage Walk project on Market Street is designed to provide better walking routes and encourage visitors to the town centre.
The scheme aims to provide wider pavements, safer walking routes, reduced vehicle speeds and improved accessibility.