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Exciting and outstanding!
That was the way a team of Councillors and Officers from the
Borough of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk described a £3.2 million
scheme to revamp Clacton Town Centre.
The party from Norfolk was taken on a tour of the town centre -
which has undergone a major road safety and environmental
enhancement project and was completed in December.
The delegation was on a fact-finding mission as a similar
regeneration scheme is being carried out in Hunstanton and the
authority is engaging the same firm of consultants as was used for
the Clacton initiative undertaken by Tendring District and Essex
County Councils.
Councillor Liz Watson, Vice Chairman of the Regeneration and
Environment Panel and a Member Representative on the Hunstanton
Project Team, was impressed.
"I visited Clacton about 20 years ago and quite honestly I
thought it was a little bit of a dump," she said.
"It was very different today - the pavements are lovely and wide
and there was a general feeling of cleanliness.
"The fountain was outstanding and I found the whole thing really
exciting. We are only at the very beginning of our scheme but
seeing just what can be achieved has really given us a boost with
what we are doing in Hunstanton."
Harry Shearing, Portfolio Holder for Technical Services at
Tendring District Council, said the comments were very welcome.
"We know that what has been done in Clacton Town Centre is a
massive improvement and we are getting lots of positive feedback,
especially now the scheme is complete," he said.
"However, it is very pleasing when another Council comes down
and gives us such a great endorsement. We wish them well with their
scheme at Hunstanton."
The group was also shown the new £2.7 million Lifestyles project
at Clacton Leisure Centre.
Mrs Watson felt the development was "stunning, just stunning"
and provided a very welcoming environment with excellent facilities
for users.
She said she was again impressed by the overall cleanliness of
the site.
The party from Kings Lynn and West Norfolk had the chance to
speak with TDC Chairman Peter Balbirnie, Leader David Lines,
Portfolio Holder Harry Shearing and
officers. |