Penrith Town Council’s Wayfinding and Interpretation Project is under way, with contractors removing old and outdated town centre signage ahead of the installation of new fingerposts and visitor information signs.
The scheme is being delivered through the Borderlands Place Programme, which supports investment in town centres across the region as part of the wider Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. In Penrith, this fully government funded project will replace and refresh signage across the town centre, helping residents and visitors move more easily between key locations, heritage sites, public spaces, car parks and shopping areas.
The project follows a wayfinding strategy commissioned by Penrith Town Council to support a more consistent approach to pedestrian movement across Penrith. The strategy identifies primary and secondary routes and is intended to guide people more clearly around town.
This week, the remaining old signage is expected to be removed and new fingerposts will begin to be placed in situ across the town centre. Refurbishment works are due to follow, with the new information signs and gateway signage currently programmed for installation later in July. Subject to any minor changes to the contractor’s programme, the new signage is expected to be in place by the end of July.
Councillor Scott Jackson, Chair of Penrith Town Council’s Planning Committee said:
“Penrith Town Council has been working to make the town centre easier to navigate and more welcoming for residents, visitors and local businesses. This project, supported through the Borderlands Place Programme, is a practical improvement that will help people move around Penrith more easily, explore more of the town and better connect our shops, heritage sites and public spaces.”
The wayfinding scheme forms part of a wider package of Borderlands Place Programme investment in Penrith. Other local projects supported through the programme include improvements at Penrith Playhouse, which have already been completed and are helping the Players benefit from improved facilities, alongside further projects designed to support the town centre, community spaces and local cultural activity.
In most cases, the signs being removed will be replaced as part of the new scheme, although a small number of redundant or superseded signs will not be reinstated where they are no longer required.
Further information is available on the Council’s project webpage: https://www.penrithtowncouncil.gov.uk/penrith-wayfinding-interpretation/
The Place Programme aims to revitalise 22 towns into vibrant, sustainable economic and social hubs that boost economic activity. In England, these include Alnwick, Bedlington, Bellingham, Dalton-in-Furness, Egremont, Haltwhistle, Longtown, Newbiggin, Penrith, Prudhoe, Rothbury, Ulverston and Wigton. The Programme sits as part of the wider £450 million Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, aimed at driving sustainable and economic growth across the South of Scotland and North of England.
Notes to Editors
The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal is a landmark cross-border investment partnership involving five councils: Cumberland, Dumfries and Galloway, Northumberland, Scottish Borders, and Westmorland and Furness. It aims to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the South of Scotland and North of England.
Signed in March 2021, the Deal brings up to £452 million of fresh investment to the region over 10-15 years. It is the largest geographic regional growth deal in the UK and includes funding from both the UK and Scottish Governments alongside local partners.
The Deal focuses on four themes: improving places, enabling infrastructure, encouraging green growth, and supporting innovation, business, and skills, delivering benefits to over one million residents.
The Borderlands Place Programme is a key component, supporting the development and renewal in 22 towns across the region. Each town has developed a Place Plan to shape its local vision and access matched funding for growth projects.
More about the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal: borderlandsgrowth.com
Details on the Place Programme: borderlandsgrowth.com/place-programme
UK Government announcement on the Deal (March 2021): gov.uk/government/news/450-million-borderlands-growth-deal-now-underway