March town centre's £9.6m revamp gets mixed views
The redevelopment of Broad Street is due to begin later this month
Last updated 16th Jun 2023
Work to regenerate March Broad Street spanning 12 months is due to get under way.
The project is set to cost more than £9.6 million thanks to funding from the government’s Future High Streets Fund and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
Some of the plans include a new road layout, new seating, bus stops, zebra crossings and relocating the town centre fountain to commemorate the Coronation of King George V in 1911 just some of the plans.
But it is a scheme that has attracted criticism and support from those who live and work in March.
Nick works in Greetings, a card shop on High Street metres away from where the redevelopment will take place.
“I was semi-optimistic at the start of the building because I thought it would inspire a lot more businesses to come in the town,” he said.
“But as things have gone on, it’s looking increasingly dire and the amount of time it’s taking is making things even worse.
“I think there is potential (to improve the town centre), but with how empty the high street is, it’s not looking like a good place for new businesses to invest in.”
However, passer-by Camay Chapman-Cameron believes the scheme will be a welcome boost to March.
“For most of the 20th Century, March town centre has been given up to the tyranny of the car,” she said.
“It’s now time for people to take the town centre back, reduce the amount of traffic to the amount we want, not what we get, and make the town centre a pleasant place to walk and be.”
"You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs"
Transport infrastructure provider Octavius will take on the work later this month following the completing of ongoing gas works on Broad Street.
The Broad Street works comes two months after March Market Place reopened following a 12-week project costing £440,000.
Amanda has lived in the town for around 18 months and is hopeful that despite closing businesses, there will be improvements.
“Shops are shutting all the time, but I think it’s got a good chance of getting better in the future, but you’ve got to invest,” she said.
“You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs.”
Revamp is 'once in a lifetime' chance, says council
But one man feels there needs to be more business in the town in order to attract more people to it.
“I can’t see how it’s going to improve the town because there are hardly any shops here,” he said.
“I can’t see anyone wanting to come here with online shopping as it is nowadays.”
Town and district councillors are excited that the Broad Street project is going ahead and what it may bring to March.
Cllr Chris Seaton, Fenland District Council's portfolio holder for transport, is also lead member of the March Future High Streets steering group.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for March to reverse the decade of decline that has affected high streets up and down the country,” he said.
"There's been a huge amount of investment from a number of partners to bring this transformation to the fore, and I'm excited to see it progress further in the coming months."