the Underpass: Initial Masterplan

'..This initial concept design for Colonels Walk shows our intentions within the masterplan and the wider area surrounding the site and into Pontefract. Within the prince of wales masterplan, there is a strong aspiration to greatly enhance this pedestrian route from the site through to the centre of Pontefract. It is on a key desire line through the site which will enable pedestrians to walk through the site to the proposed retail and community units and beyond to Pontefract park, racecourse and ultimately up to Xscape and Freeport.

Colonels Walk Underpass strides both adjacent sites to the north and south and is located on a clear spine route that connects these two areas. We would like the pedestrian to interpret both sides of the Underpass as one space so that the Underpass is the key transitional element that links these spaces. Therefore, it is important that we ensure that the design intentions on both sides (and within the underpass itself) are well designed and ultimately, coherent. It is paramount that this area is promoted as a safe, attractive and pleasant environment for pedestrians. We can enable this by creating an urbanised environment, with buildings that front up to and onto the spaces around the underpass to allow good overlooking opportunities and levels of interaction and also by continuation of the building line with a high quality wall, lighting, landscaping, seating, etc.

It is intended that this route is to be retained as pedestrian only allowing the pedestrian user to feel in a unique place. So it is also important that this route goes beyond a simple thoroughfare and is conceived as an intuitive and unique experience. An instinctive route will be achieved in design terms through the landscaping of quality public realm materials. A sense of experience will be created with visual design features like the installation of light on the floor/walls/ceiling. We want to signify the importance of this route by creating an element of interactive design in the receptor spaces either side of the underpass. We currently looking at the potential of Colonels Walk in terms of experiential and interactive design and the possibilities of light and sound installations within the Underpass. Promoting the three major elements of Colonels walk (as shown on the diagram) as interconnecting threads is key to the success of this area..'

extract from the first issued document