Answers to questions grouped by theme
Funding
The Levelling Up Fund prospectus said that the number of eligible bids for a local authority is determined by the number of MPs in a local authority area.
The Bury Market Flexi Hall proposals were chosen to be the bid for Bury North because the project was further advanced than any other in the area. Also, the enhancement proposals will create economic, social, cultural, and environmental benefits to the market and the communities that it supports.
Following a tendering exercise undertaken by the contractor and its sub-contractor supply chain during spring 2024, and the approval of a provisional contract price by Bury Council's Cabinet in July the cost of the construction works is in the region of £24 million.
Communications and engagement
Throughout the planning stages of this project, regular communication and engagement between project and team members and wider stakeholders has been critical to ensuring the approved project brief and expected high quality of design is now being delivered.
A further round of public engagement events has been during July 2024. These events proved very popular and were well attended by members of the public and market traders. At these events there was a further opportunity to view the approved scheme designs (shaped by previous feedback from the public, market traders and other key stakeholders) and be updated on the timeframe we are working towards to start construction during autumn 2024.
As the project continues to progress public updates will be provided online, via social media and in the press. Direct communication with traders will continue in the form of regular updates via established Bury Market Service email channels
Customer base
The Bury Market Flexi Hall is designed to provide additional support to existing market users as well as broadening the Market’s customer base, offering multi-functional space for events, food and beverage, health and wellbeing, enterprise and business, pop-up and seasonal markets, amongst others.
Works at Bury Outdoor Market
Two new over sailing roof canopies will be constructed at the outdoor market to future proof and provide long term weather protection for the stalls and customer walkways underneath
The two new over sailing canopies are to be installed in two phases as follows.
Canopy 1: Early December 2024 – February 2026
This is the largest of the two new canopies which will be constructed over the outdoor market stalls in these locations:
- George Block
- Wyndham, Block
- Garden Block
- Murray Road stalls
- Georgiana Block
- Princess Block
Canopy 2: Late November 2024 – September 2025
Canopy 2 is the smaller of the two new canopies and will be constructed over the outdoor market stalls in the following locations:
- Toulmin Block (stalls 11-14)
- Margaret Block A (stalls 11&12)
- Frederick Block
- Edward Block
The old roof coverings will be removed by the contractor, section-by-section, on non-market days.
In the area where the Canopy 1 will be constructed, the old roof coverings here will be removed between February 2025 and March 2025.
In the area where the Canopy 2 will be constructed, the old roof coverings here are anticipated to be removed between mid-December 2024 and February 2025. These dates are still to be confirmed.
The start date to remove the old roof coverings is still under review and the project team, the contractor and the Markets Management Team will continue to work closely with any market traders in this location whose stall build outs may be affected. However, we do need to ensure that there are no delays to the scheme overall.
Site works and construction
Pedestrian access to all these areas will be maintained throughout the construction period.
Where necessary, temporary pedestrian sign posting/wayfinding will be put in place around the market area to help direct shoppers, visitors and other users to the various town centre locations.
This temporary pedestrian signage will be especially important once the contractor has installed site safety hoardings and security fencing around the Flexi Hall construction zone where no public access will be allowed.
Any temporary pedestrian signage that is put in place will be in publicly visible and prominent locations on the site safety hoardings. For example, adjacent to Princess Parade, Kay Gardens and Angouleme Way pedestrian crossing points.
Murray Road will continue to remain open during the construction works. However, from time to time and for limited periods, vehicular access may be restricted, eg to allow the movement of construction traffic, plant, machinery and materials or when utility diversions and other utility service improvement work is required to take place within the public highway.
When this is planned, Market traders and our other partners, including Mill Gate Shopping Centre management, will be notified well in advance of any short-term restrictions that may need to be put in place.
Bury Outdoor Market will stay open for business throughout the construction works, but some temporary disruption will unfortunately be inevitable from time to time.
To help minimise disruption, construction activity at the outdoor market will only take place on non-market days (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays), and also periodically, during evenings and at night-time.
There will be no construction activity taking place within the outdoor market areas on normal market trading days (Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays).
On non-Market days when construction activity is taking place, the contractor will ensure that vehicular access to stalls for traders’ deliveries etc. is maintained as far as is reasonably possible.
In the event that any temporary restrictions are required periodically, traders will be given advanced notice by the Market Management Team.
The health and safety of traders, staff, market customers and other visitors is paramount.
During the period when the new oversailing outdoor market roof canopies are being constructed and these works are partially completed, the Contractor will ensure that any partially completed works will be left in a safe and secure condition for when market trading takes place.
For example, the contractor will also make sure that any materials, equipment or other obstructions are cleared away, and any excavations are suitably covered.
Toulmin block (stalls 1-10, 15-23) and Margaret block (stalls 1-10, 13-18) areas will not be covered by the new oversailing roof canopy. These stalls will retain their existing roof coverings and will not be directly impacted by the canopy 2 construction works.
The reason why these remaining stalls in the Toulmin block and Margaret block will not be covered by a new oversailing roof canopy, is because of the presence of large, underground gas and water utilities, and the foundations of the Angouleme Way by-pass. Unfortunately, these below ground restrictions would prevent canopy columns being constructed in these locations.
For a limited time between the end of February 2025 and June 2025, there will be no direct access for pedestrians wanting to use the existing walkway that runs along the former bus Stand E. This is due to the demolition of properties at Nos 47 and 51 Market Street that are located immediately adjacent to bus Stand E. While this demolition is taking place, the Stand E bus canopy will also need to be dismantled.
Pedestrians will however be able to use nearby, alternative routes to and from the Interchange.
After the demolition works have been completed in late June 2025, the walkway along Stand E will be re-opened and pedestrians will be able to use this route to and from the Interchange.
The only properties in Princess Parade that will be directly impacted are the vacant properties at numbers 2 to 10 Princess Parade. We has already acquired these three properties for the purpose of demolition.
The residential properties at numbers 40 to 56 Princess Parade will not be directly impacted by the scheme.
There will be some disruption caused by the construction works, including construction traffic, and plant and machinery using Murray Road to access the construction areas.
However, all construction activity will be carefully managed by the contractor (Vinci) to reduce and minimise any inconvenience as far as possible.
Pedestrian access immediately to the rear of Princess Parade apartments will be maintained, however residents are encouraged to access their properties via Princess Parade and avoid using Murray Road during the times when construction activities are taking place.
If residents have any questions about the planned construction work, they should contact their housing officer who will be happy to help and provide any further advice.
- Email: housingenquiries@bury.gov.uk
- Phone: 0161 686 8000
Parking
Yes. Part of the Market Car Park will be the location of the contractor’s main construction compound. This will temporarily take out approximately 100 parking spaces but to minimise any inconvenience while the compound is in place, clear roadside signage will be in place to direct drivers to other nearby car parks. There will also be clear signage in place directing shoppers and other visitors from car parks to the Market and Town Centre. Further details will also be included on the Council’s web site.
The Market Car Park location was chosen for the main compound due to its size and its accessible close proximity to the Bury Market construction site.
The compound will start to be installed during August 2024 and will remain in place until all the construction work has been completed in July 2026.
Within the compound will be sited the contractor’s staff cabins, welfare unit, areas for storing construction plant, machinery, equipment, materials etc. The compound will be secured by solid safety hoardings.
Coach visits
No. The Market coach drop off and pick up area will continue to operate as normal on Market days (Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays).
Whilst construction traffic will use Murray Road to access the nearby Flexi Hall construction site, these construction traffic movements will be carefully managed by the contractor (Vinci UK Ltd).
On non-Market days, evenings and at night-time, the coach drop off and pick-up area is currently not in use and closed to coaches. This will remain the case.
During specific time periods, from time to time, the contractor will utilise the drop off / pick up area eg. to support the traffic management of construction deliveries, plant, machinery and materials to site. This usage will be carefully managed by the contractor (Vinci UK Ltd).
Bury town centre - wider regeneration plans
The Bury Market regeneration project which includes the building of a new flexi hall and enhancements at Bury Outdoor Market, will effectively represent the first phase of Bury town centre’s regeneration. The construction of the Bury Market Flexi Hall, newly landscaped public realm and the outdoor market enhancements will help add momentum to the Bury Town Centre Masterplan and bring further confidence in Bury Council's ability to deliver major investment projects.
The Bury Town Centre Masterplan was approved in 2022 and is helping, in the short term, to support Bury's economic recovery from Covid-19 and providing the foundations for Bury town centre to maintain its vibrancy and its status as one of the strongest centres in Greater Manchester for years to come.
The masterplan provides the ‘placemaking’ framework for many of the key sites in and around the town centre and will help enable their delivery in the short to medium term.
The masterplan has an important role in promoting the town centre in general and in attracting development and inward investment by highlighting the major opportunities that exist. At the same time, it also provides an important tool demonstrating that the Council has a cohesive and up-to-date strategy in place to support bids for external funding.