A poem by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage embossed onto the paving is to be a feature of the new-look New Street in Huddersfield town centre.

Kirklees Council has revealed more details for its plans for New Street, which also include three specially-designed 40ft planters.

Under the council’s Huddersfield Blueprint, New Street will become a ‘green street’ to create more space for people to meet up and for events such as pop-up markets.

Work to prepare the site has started and Virgin Media is nearing the end of their work re-routing cables.

The next progress residents and businesses will see is the new lighting installation which includes new street lighting columns in different positions. The new lighting system will also provide an improved CCTV system, improving safety and aiming to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.

The work will be carried out in seven phases so that disruption to businesses in the area is kept to a minimum. The work is due to be completed in early 2024.

Clr Graham Turner, Cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Great places need great people, and great people make a community.

“Huddersfield and Dewsbury both aim to welcome hundreds of new residents over the next few years. To support this, we need to continue to build resilience and strengthen our communities.

“Huddersfield needs to diversify and create places that can meet the everyday needs of the surrounding communities. New residents will create a greater demand for independent shops, start-up enterprises, cafes, and eateries.

“The current investment to transform New Street is the first step to redefining Huddersfield town centre and what it can become for current and future generations.”

The plans and details can be found online at www.kirklees.gov.uk/new-street For inquiries directly to the project team contact newstreet@kirklees.gov.uk

Kirklees Council approves design of 40ft tall planters which will help ‘green up’ New Street