Town to become more visitor friendly with direction monoliths

Expected to be installed early-November, they will also tell people about Newbury's history, including the wool trade, the racecourse, the civil war, coaching and the A4.
The two-phase private/public-funded project, which will also see 15 fingerposts erected throughout next year, will cost £102,000 in total, including £20,000 from both the BID and West Berkshire Council and £8,500 from Newbury Town Council.
BID managing director Russell Downing said a further £20,000 was anticipated from Parkway Shopping owners Standard Life Investments, while talks were ongoing with the John Lewis Partnership and Network Rail.
He added that the amount of funding confirmed so far was enough to see the nine monoliths erected now, including one outside the Wharf library, one in Cheap Street and one by Victoria Park.
Planning permission for the project is not required. Council spokesman Keith Ulyatt said that street signage fell under permitted development for a highways authority.
Mr Downing said the scheme was responding to the public consultation undertaken last year when the BID was formed.
“The general consensus was there was a lack of welcome to the town,” he said. “If you park in one of the car parks or get off at the train or bus station there isn’t much by way of directions that move pedestrian footfall through the town.
“It was felt that the current signage was out dated and no longer fit for purpose.
“It has been a collective project, not just from the Newbury BID but the town council and the district council and the larger landlords and businesses in the town.
“It highlights that we can’t keep saying that’s our district council’s responsibility – we all have to take account of how we grow the economy.”
Mr Ulyatt added: “It will enhance and make easier the visitor experience to the town, which can in turn enhance the economic prosperity of Newbury.
“We believe the people of Newbury will be pleased to see this excellent and highly visible use of public money because a thriving town centre ultimately benefits us all.”