"Reconstructing areas with enhanced safety and increased inclusivity"

"Reconstructing areas with enhanced safety and increased inclusivity"

St Helens Borough Council has announced an ambitious regeneration project for its town centres, in collaboration with the English Cities Fund (ECF). The project, focused on collaborative investment, community-led development, safety, diversity, and social inclusion, aims to transform the town centres into vibrant, accessible, and safe spaces that cater to diverse community needs.

The project's safety measures include redesigning public spaces to be more welcoming, well-lit, and pedestrian-friendly. This approach is expected to reduce crime and increase the feeling of security for residents and visitors. The St Helens Interchange redevelopment is part of this comprehensive transformation, aiming to enhance public transport connectivity and the overall urban environment.

Diversity is another key focus, with the regeneration plans ensuring benefits for all community groups. The town centres will feature a mix of commercial, cultural, and residential spaces that reflect the population’s varied needs and backgrounds. The partnership with ECF encourages inclusive development practices that balance public and private interests to avoid displacement or exclusion.

Community engagement is at the heart of the project, with efforts to involve local residents in shaping plans. The council's approach aligns with best practices in urban renewal, emphasizing transparent consultation, collaborative governance, and nurturing local skills and heritage to foster community ownership and long-term social cohesion.

The town centre transformation plans include a 120-bedroom globally branded hotel, 75,000 sq ft of office space, 64 new homes, and 11,000 sq. ft. modern retail space. The work to deliver these changes is set to begin this summer, with the deconstruction of parts of the town centre that are no longer fit for purpose.

Addressing the concerns of women, the design of the new buildings and spaces will prioritise visibility to reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour. Clear sightlines, avoiding blind spots, and incorporating open spaces are key aspects of this approach. Urban design has often overlooked the needs of women and girls, limiting their movement due to feelings of unsafety and insecurity.

The design of the new town centre will also capture and celebrate St Helens' distinct identity as a place with a history of market towns, rural villages, industrial innovation, Railways, Coal mining, and glassmaking. The approach to lighting prioritizes multi-layered lighting, avoiding bright floodlights that create pockets of darkness, glare, or shadows.

Measures taken to improve safety and inclusivity include a Night Time Economy Forum, taxi marshals, improved lighting at taxi ranks, and joint enforcement. Over the past two years, St Helens Borough Council has conducted extensive engagement and consultation programs to gather feedback from various communities.

The town centre renovation aims to 'build back better,' focusing on creating thoughtfully considered environments and fostering civic pride. The project prioritizes creating safe, inclusive spaces for diverse communities.

The town centre's night-time economy has already seen significant improvements, resulting in a reduction in crime figures and recognition by the Purple Flag Charter, similar to the Green Flag for parks. The new town centre will also feature a new arrival experience, based around a new bus station, green spaces, and clearer routes to help people get around town centre.

Children's requests for the regenerated town centre include more green spaces, flexible outdoor event areas, and better access to public transportation. The new Market Hall in St Helens will be a daytime and evening destination, with space for arts events and entertainment, and places to eat and drink.

Feeling safe is a major concern for women, with a recent survey showing that 26% of women always feel unsafe walking alone at night. The project's focus on safety, diversity, and community engagement is a step towards addressing these concerns and creating a town centre that is welcoming and inclusive for all.

1. The regeneration project in St Helens town centres, in partnership with the English Cities Fund (ECF), aims to transform public spaces to become more welcoming, well-lit, and safer, catering to community needs.
2. Community engagement is key in the project, with efforts made to involve local residents in shaping plans, fostering long-term social cohesion and community ownership.
3. The new town centre will showcase St Helens' unique identity, incorporating a mix of residential, commercial, and cultural spaces, reflecting the region's diverse population and heritage.
4. The new development will feature a focus on women's safety, with measures like visibility and clear sightlines to reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour.
5. The project plans to deliver changes this summer, including a globally branded hotel, modern retail space, office spaces, and new homes, while also improving the night-time economy and creating more green spaces for children.

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