Background
The Brentwood High Street commission is within an extensive £5.4 million streetscape upgrade programme. It presents the opportunity for Michael to integrate artistic solutions into its refurbishment.
The ethos of the project is that Brentwood High Street will become a shared space scheme, a first in Essex. It will remove current infrastructure and provide opportunities for creative practical solutions to street furniture and lighting, specifying particular materials. It will also address issues such as how to improve the living, working space of the High Street and still incorporate traditional activities like ‘Brentwood in Bloom’.
The High Street will remain a two-way road with a newly designed shared surface, breaking traditional boundaries between carriageway and footway, along the central section of road. This will encourage people to drive with more care and at slower speeds, allowing more pedestrians to move freely.
Essex County Council believes streets to be the principal component of urban spatial systems and that they should be vibrant places that encourage people to feel comfortable and safe.
 |
 |
 |
“My first thoughts when seeing St Thomas Chapel, Brentwood's jewel in its heritage crown, was the relevance that the town's origins could have to its present day.”
Michael Johnson
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Michael and Gavin on Genius Loci in Brentwood Town Centre over the last year. Our ‘place’ project is really taking shape now and the activities we have planned together, over the next few months, will provide local residents, schools groups and community groups with excellent opportunities to express and share their ideas about Brentwood.”
Jane Keane, Town Centre Manager, Brentwood Borough Council and on behalf of the Brentwood Town Centre Partnership
