Work designed to create a more attractive environment and better pedestrianised route across Ashton town centre is starting this week. 

Contractors are commencing work on Wellington Road which Tameside Council say will connect and improve pedestrian links and access to Tameside College, Clarendon Sixth Form College, Tameside One and the wider town centre. 

The aim is to create more of a campus feel for students in the area, with the introduction of seating and landscaped areas. 

The work is expected to take a number of months and will be completed towards the end of 2023. 

To facilitate the works, a compound area will be constructed on Camp Street Car Park which will be closed for the duration of the works. Alternative parking will be available in other town centre car parks such as Henrietta Street.

The improvements to the public realm will build on projects started with the development of the Vision Tameside Programme and are closely linked with priority projects being undertaken using the £19.87m Levelling Up Fund, including the proposed plans for Ashton Market Square and Ashton Town Hall which went out for public consultation at the end of 2022.

The council say contractors are currently carrying out internal work to Ashton Town Hall to prepare the building for surveys to fully inform the design process for the restoration of the building envelope, including the roof and internal layout.   

Councillor Vimal Choksi, Executive Member (Towns and Communities), said: “The works to improve the public realm will help connect our newer developments like Tameside College, Clarendon Sixth Form College and Tameside One with the projects underway including the plans for the Market Square and Town Hall, improving pedestrian access at key entry points across the town centre will help make Ashton a more attractive place to live, work, visit and study.

“The works compound will be a temporary structure which will remain in place for a couple of months, while construction work is underway and will be removed when the project is complete.”

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