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Park restoration to start early in 2009
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| From left, Friends of Roberts Park secretary Paul Haigh, chairman of the group Sharon Ashton and Councillor Anne Hawkesworth |
Work on restoring a World Heritage Site park to its former Victorian glory is set to start early next year and should be completed by Easter 2010.
The news comes following a £3.2 million lottery award for Roberts Park, Saltaire.
Yesterday, Bradford Council was awarded the lion's share of the £4.5 million project from The Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Parks for People Programme.
Now, residents are set to be consulted as plans unfold and can have their say on the park's new bandstand next month.
The Friends of Roberts Park has waited six years for work to start and will host a series of Sunday afternoon concerts this summer to keep up momentum.
Friends chairman Sharon Ashton said: "We are starting to see things are rolling. Our group would like to see a traditional bandstand made with the best materials and something sympathetic to the village."
Deputy chairman Paul Haigh said: "This is a celebration. We have waited a long time for this and we are champing at the bit to get on with it. We can't wait."
Eddie Lawler, of Saltaire Village Society, said: "This is a World Heritage Site and deserves to be a beautiful park, as was intended. It has been a blot on the landscape and it will be great to see it restored to its former glory. We are very grateful to Saltaire Cricket Club and the friends - what has been saved in the park has been saved by them."
Ian Day, Bradford Council's technical and development manager, said: "Work is going out to contract at the moment, with plans to be on site in late January or February next year.
"Hopefully it will be completed the following Easter and we will look to hold a big event in the park when it looks absolutely fantastic.
"Bradford Council will continue its programme of works, including along the riverbank."
Architects and local historians have been invited to a workshop to consider the design of the new bandstand at Shipley Library on Thursday, June 12, at 6pm.
Anyone interested in getting involved should contact Bradford Council's technical and development manager, Ian Day, on (01274) 431988.
The Sunday afternoon concerts will run in Roberts Park from May 25 at 2.30pm. Refreshments will also be available from the Half Moon Cafe.
10:16pm Wednesday 7th May 2008
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