‘There’s just nothing’: What residents really want from West Yorkshire town centre regeneration
Castleford town centre plans spark mixed reaction as residents reveal what needs to change
People in a West Yorkshire town have shared their views on plans to regenerate town centre.
In August, Wakefield Council appointed a developer to help deliver long-awaited projects earmarked for Castleford.
The Reform UK-led local authority chose Muse to be its new strategic regeneration partner, stating the move would end the “dither and delay” in unlocking the town’s economic potential.
A number of projects are already underway in Castleford after the council secured £23m of government Town Deal funding in 2019.
The town has been awarded a further £20m through the Government’s Pride in Place programme.
Schemes include a major revamp of the town centre and creating a new public park next to the river Aire.
The town has also been designated as a housing zone with a focus on residential development at key sites close to the river.
Castleford resident Graham Roper, 79, said: “I’d like to see more policemen walking around. I’d like to see more activity on stopping people dropping litter and being disruptive.
“All these shops, all these premises have got loads and loads of empty spaces – use it for housing.”
Steve, 58, a regular visitor to the town, said “I like it. It’s clean, you have got friendly people knocking around. You do see some strange sights.
“There are, probably like in most towns, people who like the beer and like the smoke too much, .
“Put more shops on the street that people actually need every day – simple.”
Jacqueline Portas, 76, said: “There’s just nothing. When I was younger there was loads of shops, but not any more.
“You daren’t walk down here on a night. I wouldn’t anyway, unless there are a few of us.
“It’s just not safe. You’ve got them on drugs, you’ve got them on scooters, you’ve got them on bikes doing wheelies. It’s not good at all.”
Mollie Newbould, 30, said: “We like where we live because we have got access to the river and the schools are good. The park just behind here is really good.
“But I think there is a lot lacking in the town centre, especially for things to do with the kids.
“It’s really good what they are doing at the minute in the market for the school holidays.
“They have lots of thing on for them to do like workshops and stuff.
“But just actually coming in to do stuff with the kids, other than the library, we don’t really have a lot.”
Wayne Coultas, 56, urged the council to “just spend a bit more money on the town.”