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For those who, like Karen Storr and Francis Dunnery,
remember going to the Castle Cinema as a special Saturday treat, the sight
of the JCB thrusting its jaws into its auditorium, like some ferocious
tyrannosaurus, must cause a pang of regret for pleasures past. However, we
know  that for most
Egremont people it will be a relief to see an unsightly decaying relic
removed from the landscape, to be replaced in a year or two with some
attractive town centre housing, and immediately with hoardings which can
carry notices and displays of work. Within view of the Pulse Offices, in
Market Place, which are developing at an impressive speed, it is another
reminder that Egremont is developing into a town fit for the 21st Century.
Like many residents of Gulley Flatts we are heartily glad to see the end of
the old Co-op store on Royal Drive, too. In both cases, owners exercising
their rights have delayed the long overdue demolition, but we can look
forward to see a much pleasanter and safer use of the site.
The roundabout between Castle Walk and Nelson Square, known by those old
enough to remember gurning contests on the site as ‘Wembley’, has been left
in a shocking mess by Balfour Beattie following the drainage work they
conducted two years ago. Councillors drew attention of Copeland Homes
officers to its condition during a tour of Castle Croft estate last week.
There are plans to have it landscaped with the help of the Parks Department
and Youthworks, but first debris and earth will need to be removed. We are
glad to see that the Highways Department have taken the long overdue step of
reconnecting the illuminated traffic signs on the island, at the expense of
Balfour Beattie.
During the same walkabout councillors showed officers the overgrown land
between Castle Walk bungalows and the path running from St Bridgets Lane to
the lower Castle gate. The area needs to be tidied up and the the wall that
runs beside the path needs to be checked to ensure it is in a safe
condition. |
