SRP News

Sculpture highlights major improvements for Stratford

Posted: 23,02,10

One of the World's largest moving sculptures will form part of a £12.9 million improvements scheme by Newham council that will breathe new life into Stratford ahead of the 2012 Games.

The glittering kinetic sculpture, called The Shoal, will consist of 180 polished titanium leaves mounted 16 metres up on metal posts. The leaves, which will gently move in the breeze, will run for 450 metres along Great Eastern Road past Stratford Station and the main shopping centre.

The sculpture is part of an excisting environmental improvements package agreed by Mayor Sir Robin Wales and councillors that will complement the new Westfield 'Stratford City' shopping and leisure centre due to open in 2011 and cement Stratford's position as a new metropolitan centre for East London.

Sir Robin said: "this scheme across the town centre will secure real improvements of benefit to residents and businesses as well as ensuring that Stratford and Newham presents a strong image as the gateway to the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games". 

Councillor Conor McAuley, executive member for regeneration and Vice Chairman of Stratford Renaissance Partnership added: "the project will secure the future of the existing town centre as well as reinforcing Stratford as the undisputed hub of East London, harnessing the benefits of the Games and nearby Stratford City". 

As well as the sculpture, the scheme across the whole of the town centre will include:

• New lighting, pavement repairs and improved pedestrian signage;
• The reinstatement of Robert the railway engine to Meridian Square, a reconfigured bus station and taxi rank, improved pedestrian crossings on Great Eastern Road and relocation of the spiral clock to outside Maryland Station;
• New landscaping, street furniture and lighting in Broadway with feature lighting of St John's Church and the Old Town Hall;
• New outdoor market space in The Grove under a canopy to replace the current market in Broadway;
• A memorial to Joan Littlewood in Theatre Square, new lighting and improved pedestrian crossings to Angel Lane and for a new rear facade for Stratford Picture House;
• The Shoal sculpture will encompass seasonal colours from spring green to autumnal gold which will be lit up at night to add to the effect;
• Improved entrances to the Stratford Centre

An aerial view of what the Broadway will look like once proposed works have been carried out

A public consultation exercise has been carried out and 93 per cent of those who took part said they either liked or strongly liked the plans with the Shoal sculpture generating particular excitement.

The project will be paid for from Section 106 money related to the Stratford City project, cash from an Olympic Host Boroughs funding programme, and a grant from the London Development Agency.

Click here for what the Broadway in Stratford is envisaged to look like

Posted by: staffadmin

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