Description

Fakenham Market Square's resurfacing and the installation of new lighting and specially designed street furniture have opened up this 50,000m2 public space, which is bordered by town centre retail businesses and services, for use by people rather than cars.

Formerly used for car parking, the square's new layout and the resurfacing of spaces between buildings restricts parking, speed and movement of vehicles, and the full variety and charms of the square's historic buildings can now be admired in safety.

Pedestrians can now move around more freely, crossing the road wherever it suits them, while the traffic moves slowly but constantly without signs, road humps or other obvious traffic calming measures. Clever use is made of raised paving around new trees giving subtle direction to the movement of vehicles.

Contemporary timber street furniture, lighting and public art mark a restrained but contemporary public space which draws on its past without being constrained by it.