Bauman Lyons to illuminate Leeds' Dark Arches
- Published: 28 January 2008 11:57
- Author: Richard Waite
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- Last Updated: 28 January 2008 12:54
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Bauman Lyons has revealed its £4.5 million proposals to revamp the notorious Dark Arches under Leeds' railway station.
Work on the project along Neville Street 'tunnel' is expected to start in May and aims to transform the dingy, but busy, route from the city centre through to Holbeck into a safer, more welcoming experience for both pedestrians and drivers.
The scheme, which has been developed with Arup Acoustics, Berlin-based artist Hans Peter Kuhn and local graphic designer Andy Edwards, includes widening the footpaths, adding sound-absorbing wall-panels and installing a vandal-proof lighting scheme featuring thousands of LEDs.
According to the practice, the tunnel will be clad in 'robust, graffiti-resistant, anodised-aluminium wall panels, which will contain an innovative sound-absorbing material called QuietStone, used in the Channel Tunnel and the London Underground to manage sound levels.'
The overhaul has already received the financial backing of Leeds City Council to the tune of £2 million and has received similar funding from Yorkshire Forward as well as a further £646,000 from the Northern Way (£646.000).
Jan Anderson, the executive director for environment at Yorkshire Forward said: '[We] have a long-term commitment to the economic recovery of the Holbeck area of Leeds.
'This project is a vitally important link between Holbeck and the city. It is also a key public space which needs to be developed into a first class gateway.'
The project is scheduled to complete in December 2008.
