City regeneration plan on display

Artist impression shows how the green area near the bus station could be opened up

Plans to transform Bangor city centre and "revitalise" its high street have gone on public display.

Gwynedd council says the Bangor Public Realm project has the potential to make the city centre "stronger than ever".

The £3.5m project could see traffic flow changed, the bus station moved and streets paved in granite.

There was a mixed response from members of the public who viewed the information boards put up in an empty city centre shop.

Details in the plan include using granite and Welsh slate to pave the high street, inset possibly with a timeline of Bangor's history.

A water feature, from the clock down towards the current bus station, is also suggested.

The bus station itself might move, but no new location was given, or it might stay, with the grassed area nearby opened up.

What's the point of using posh granite paving, this isn't Buckingham Palace, it's Bangor Nigel Pickavance, Bangor

Gwynedd Council leader, councillor Dyfed Edwards, said the council wanted to do "everything we can to help promote our local companies and high street shops".

"The Bangor Public Realm project will enable us to ensure that the city centre is stronger than ever, with improved links from throughout the city of Bangor to its bustling high street."

The plan is based on what local people and businesses want to see happen, he added.

Councillor Dewi Lewis, who leads on the economy and community with the council, said there was no illusion about the scale of what needed to be done.

"There is a great deal of work ahead of us to bring this project to fruition, but by working together we can deliver improvements that will help to revitalise the Bangor city centre," he said.

A water feature could be built by the city clock

College park

As well as the actual High Street, plans on show show the College Park area being transformed into a community area.

Few viewing the plans knew where College Park was though, until it was realised it is the green wooded area between Love Lane and the old Theatr Gwynedd.

"I've never used it and I can't see that these plans would encourage me to go there," said Dena Jones, who works at a city centre shop.

"They need to be concentrating on the businesses on the High Street, although I suppose it would be nice for those with children," she said.

Paving

John Williams from Benllech, Anglesey, said he used to work in Bangor.

"I'm not sure how it (the College Park area) will help Bangor," he said.

Bangor-born Dorothy Hughes was also sceptical.

"It's all very cosmetic, and how much is this consultation costing?" she said.

"It looks lovely on paper, but I'm not sure how it'll help Bangor. We're still waiting to hear what's happening with the marina idea (Hirael regeneration).

Nigel Pickavance from the Citizens of Bangor group said he saw "paving, and more paving" on the plans.

"Some of it looks attractive, like the stream from the clock to the bus stop, but they can't do anything with the green by the buses because it's an ancient burial ground," he said.

"I'm disappointed there's nothing here on Christmas lights for instance, something the people of Bangor have been calling for over many years."

He said ideas such as putting granite down on the streets was probably not a good idea.

"What's the point of using posh granite paving, this isn't Buckingham Palace, it's Bangor.

"Why not use a cheaper option and use the money saved for something else such as painting the shop fronts, and generally tidying up?" he added.

The exhibition will be open until 18 July at Unit 2 of the Deiniol Centre, Bangor (former Superdrug shop), from 1100-1600 BST each day. The plans will then go on display at Bangor Cathedral from 20-24 July.

Comments on the options for the High Street are being collected by Bangor Public Realm Strategy at Gwynedd council's transportation and streetcare services office in Caernarfon. Comments on College Park go to the development director at Bangor University.