Funds awarded for Chester facelift

The public sector has approved funding for a £1.3m environmental improvement programme for Chester city centre as it aims to attract more tourists.

The North West Development Agency has invested £931,800 in the scheme, also backed by Chester City Council and the Chester Renaissance Partnership.

The improvements are part of the £1.5bn Chester Renaissance programme. Peter White, director of development at the NWDA, said: "Investment in public realm is a key feature of the Chester Renaissance, underpinning our effort to raise the overall quality of Chester as a destination."

The packages include:

Castle and Riverfront: includes the rejoining of the walls over Castle Drive, extending the promenade from the Little Roodee to the start of the Groves and creating a ramped access point between Castle Drive and the Little Roodee.

Northgate Street: natural surface treatments will be used in keeping with the setting of the street and its proximity to the Roman Walls and listed buildings.

City Road: enhancements to a street that not only provides a key route between the station and the city centre, but also houses many commercial premises including hotels, retailers and offices.

Riverside Promenade: includes new kerbing, railings, seating, other street furniture, landscaping and a high quality surface finish.

Works are expected to be completed in spring 2008 in time for the summer.