Street party will celebrate revamp of historic Bailgate area of Lincoln
A STREET party will be held today to mark the £1 million revamp of Lincoln's historic Bailgate area.
The event in Castle Square comes as work to give the area a facelift finally comes to an end – after months of work.
-
The bunting in Bailgate ahead of a street party to celebrate its renovation.
Starting at 4pm, the street party will feature stalls, live music and an exhibition.
There will also be walking tours and a disco in the evening at the Assembly Rooms.
Road-workers have been busy since the start of the year re-paving the area with stone to bring back the Bailgate's historic feel.
It triggered concerns among businesses that visitors would stay away while work went on.
But traders say they are now breathing a sigh of relief that work is finally over – just in time for the busy summer tourist season.
Denise Christison, manager of the Spencer Coleman fine art gallery, said businesses in the area were delighted the work was at an end.
But she was one of many to question the repairs and renovations which were carried out.
She said: "It will bring people back into the northern part of Lincoln again.
"It makes the place look a lot smarter, even though there are quite a few difficulties.
"People are happy with it, apart from the practical issues. But considering the state of the economy when they started, I think they could have waited until later to do it."
Concerns have been raised by some traders that delivery vehicles parking on the route now make it very hard for motorists waiting behind to pass.
Doubts have also been expressed about the newly laid-out parking spaces on the Bailgate near the entrance at the Newport Arch – with motorists now having to reverse to get into a space.
But there is a widespread feeling that the work makes the Bailgate area look far better as once- rundown roads and paths have now been brought up to scratch.
And to show how important the completion of the work is, both mayor Geoff Kirby and city MP Karl McCartney will be there at 5.30pm for an unveiling ceremony.
Rick Crofts, owner of the Steep Hill Tea Rooms, said: It all looks very good. It looks a jolly sight better than before."
3 Comments
by Local resident, bail
Wednesday, July 21 2010, 4:38PM
“great party I had a brilliant time and the works are a vast improvement on the old higldy pigldy pavements.
Tourist like the new paving and the wider access for wheel chairs and push chairs. A few niggles have been found but that's to be expected. Well done I say./
Mr "roman roads were better" stay in the dark ages. You live in the area but obviously are not part of the community.
Make the street party an annual event”
by Mr Sneer, Derision on the Wold
Monday, July 19 2010, 4:58PM
“Serious question: do you people EVER stop complaining?”
by Roman roads were better, Bailgate
Monday, July 19 2010, 8:57AM
“Being a resident of bailgate, yes some people actually live on the street, i would just like to say what an absolute joke and waste of money the 'street party' was. Firstly the roadworks are absolutely shocking with a drop of rain causing floods at certain sections, and the way its been laid looks like someones crazy paving at home. Secondly the 'party' ??? what you mean having the same market stalls up there that are there every other week? The complete lack of communication with people who live there? i only knew about it by the poster in the window of a shop yet its made to look like a street party from WW2.
The majority of tourists who come to Lincoln are coming due to the historical aspect of the town, thus the road being redone was completely pointless and adds nothing, it actually looked better before.
Overall a complete waste of money in a town devoid of opportunity & jobs equals massive mismanagement.”