Background
Allhallows Bedford is a busy retail and commercial street based in the heart of Bedford. Allhallows spans from St Loyes through to Silver Street and is approximately a quarter of a kilometre long. It has over 40 retail outlets including cafés, banks, estate agents and essential pedestrian access to Bedford Bus Station. In addition, there are a number of businesses located in the first-floor level and also there are a number of residential flats located along Allhallows.
Alongside pedestrians the site is accessed by vehicles for deliveries and disabled parking.
Project Principles and Objectives
Fundamentally the principle objective was to reconstruct and redevelop the area while still allowing business to trade and pedestrians to move safely around the area.
This is while ensuring deliveries were unhindered to retailers and the bus station and managing waste collections.
Our Approach
Ryebridge developed a detailed and robust plan for the works to include phasing and programme which needed effective communication with all stakeholders.
Prior to taking possession of the area Ryebridge had appointed a communications liaison and a company to manage social media portals to include a closed Facebook Group and Twitter profile. Door to door visits had taken place and a full data capture exercise was completed.
For the first phase of construction there was a 24 hour Gate Man employed while Ryebridge got to understand vehicle movements. In addition there was daily communication via email and face to face visits. Ryebridge took the decision to hire a shop front on the street to operate out of. This facilitated ongoing dialogue and gave retailers and members of the public a place to visit with queries.
Moving Forward
The success in this project reinforces our commitment to early engagement and a close partnership with our clients. Our clients can be certain that we have their objectives at the centre of what we do. In this particular project we are extremely proud that our ability to build relationships and add value to our clients is evidenced successfully throughout. Ryebridge is currently looking to develop its strategy for more Public Realm works.
See more details below.
