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Aylesbury is a town with a fantastic future. The redevelopment of the town centre has begun and in the coming years many exciting new schemes to improve services and facilities will be delivered. AylesburyVibe is dedicated to keeping you up to date with all the latest news and how the development works will affect travel.

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News

Horse and Jockey junction roadworks - Weedon Road

The first phase of improvement work at the Horse and Jockey junction, Aylesbury, in Elmhurst Road has been completed, one week ahead of schedule.  Elmhurst Road has now reopened to traffic.

Now, a 100 metre section of Weedon Road, adjacent to the Horse and Jockey junction is closed to allow the next part of the works to take place. Diversion signs are in place. Buckingham Road will remain open throughout this period.

The improvement work is needed as a result of further housing development at Weedon Hill. Transport for Buckinghamshire (TFB) is using this opportunity to improve the way the traffic lights work, and to rectify construction defects on the approaches to the junction that have emerged in the past 12 months.

Val Letheren, Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Transportation, said: 'We want to take every opportunity to warn drivers of the possibility of significant delays at this very busy junction. We would urge drivers to plan an alternative route wherever they are able to, but if this isn't possible we would really appreciate drivers exercising patience whilst these essential works are undertaken.

'In the long run, congestion will be reduced and accessibility will be increased at this difficult junction. As I said before, we really do apologise for the disruption to this junction but it's vital we get this junction right for the future. Although some delays are unfortunately inevitable we will do everything possible to reduce the inconvenience that will go with this for our residents.'

TFB is providing information on 0845 230 2882.

Landmark building for Aylesbury Waterside project

The National Enterprise Academy (NEA), in partnership with Aylesbury Vale District Council, has announced it will establish its first ever permanent headquarters and learning centre of excellence in Aylesbury town centre. The cutting edge facility will be part of the new Waterside project to be launched in September 2012.

The brainchild of Peter Jones, the NEA is the UK’s first ever educational institution solely dedicated to enterprise and entrepreneurship. It offers young people, aged 16-19, two unique qualifications that expose students to real-life business issues in real-life business environments. The NEA officially opened its doors earlier this year on the site of Amersham and Wycombe College and the new headquarters will play a vital role in the development of the NEA as it looks to enroll 18,000 learners across the UK in the next five years.

As part of the prestigious Waterside project and the redevelopment of Aylesbury town centre, the NEA headquarters will be situated in Exchange Street at the head of the canal basin, close to the new Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.

Peter Jones, founder of the NEA said:“I am delighted that we are working in partnership with Aylesbury Vale District Council to build our first ever headquarters for the National Enterprise Academy. As a thriving business community, Aylesbury was the natural choice for the location of the NEA headquarters. I hope that the presence of the Academy will help to establish Aylesbury and the South East of England at the forefront of enterprise learning and in doing so contribute to the local economy.”

Cllr John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, added: “Aylesbury Vale has a strong reputation for entrepreneurs so it is very fitting that Aylesbury has been selected for the Academy. As a major housing growth area, it’s vital that we also create opportunities for new jobs so this is a very exciting step forward in helping us to do that.”

The South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA) partnered with the NEA in 2008, providing £2.3 million in funding to develop the Academy’s first course, the NEA Pathfinder. As the South East of England is a key driver of the national economy, SEEDA is keen to foster entrepreneurial spirit and recognises the national importance of this project and what it will bring to the region, the entrepreneurial heart of Britain, and the local Buckinghamshire economy.

Pam Alexander, SEEDA Chief Executive, concluded: “The NEA will bring significant economic benefits to the local economy at a crucial time following recent redundancy announcements in Aylesbury. SEEDA is committed to helping young entrepreneurs start up and run successful businesses and applauds the NEA for its successes to date. SEEDA is proud to support the NEA and is confident that the NEA’s work will continue to contribute to the prosperity of the South East."

Waitrose is coming to Aylesbury

Waitrose will be the the food store for the proposed Waterside Shopping scheme in Aylesbury. Waitrose will trade from a 30,900 sq ft store, which has been taken on a 20-year lease. This announcement follows the signing of the development agreement between Warner Estate and Aylesbury Vale District Council for the development of the retail element of the wider council-led regeneration proposals for Aylesbury

Providing a link from Warner Estate’s existing Hale Leys Shopping Centre, Waterside Shopping will introduce an 80,000sq ft Debenhams department store and a further 30 shops as well as new restaurants and cafes, 800 car parking spaces and an attractive new public realm in front of the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, which is currently under construction by Aylesbury Vale District Council.

Located adjacent the town’s new theatre, the new Waitrose food store will help to extend the retail heart of the town to the southern side of Exchange Street, which will be rejuvenated as a result of these proposed developments. The store will enhance the environment, particularly around the canal basin and Bear Brook, and will provide an attractive backdrop.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of Aylesbury Vale District Council, said: “We are extremely pleased that Waitrose are coming to Aylesbury. We said at the outset that we wanted the scheme to be of the highest quality, with the theatre leading the way. Waitrose fits perfectly with our plans and we really are now beginning to see our dreams for the redevelopment of Aylesbury come true.”

Waitrose Director of Development, Nigel Keen, said: "We are delighted to have signed an agreement which, subject to planning permission being granted, commits us to the scheme put forward by Warner Estate. It offers Waitrose a fantastic opportunity to contribute towards the regeneration of an important part of Aylesbury and we firmly believe that a Waitrose food shop will help add to the vibrancy of the area as well as providing more choice for the local community. Waitrose places great value on becoming part of a town's fabric and will continue to work hard with the developer to ensure the application submitted is one that best meets the needs of Aylesbury."

Theatre managers appointed

The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) is set to manage the new Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, which opens in 2010. Members of Aylesbury Vale District Council’s cabinet confirmed ATG as its preferred management contractor at a meeting on 10 February,  paving the way for final contract negotiations to be concluded.

ATG is the second largest theatre operator in the UK and manages a total of 23 venues, including the nearby Milton Keynes Theatre. It is also one of the country’s foremost theatre producers and has been behind some of the most successful and innovative productions in Britain and abroad.

Two years ago, AVDC began a procurement process to bring in a specialist company to manage the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. ATG and HQ Theatres were shortlisted and supported development of the contract specification to ensure its deliverability. Both companies submitted tender bids and ATG’s was judged to be the most economically advantageous.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said: “We are excited and pleased to have selected one of our preferred operators to manage the new theatre. Members were very impressed with the ATG proposals and the depth of their experience and professionalism. We look forward to working in partnership with them to fully realise the potential of what will be a fantastic venue for the people of Aylesbury Vale.”

Around 300,000 people from across Aylesbury Vale and beyond are expected to visit the new theatre each year to enjoy a dynamic and diverse programme of live performances. The programme will be an exciting mix of West End shows, comedy, dance, concerts, gigs, pantomime, as well as international opera and ballet.

The concept for the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre was developed by AVDC and internationally-renowned theatre designers, RHWL Arts Team. The venue will have a 1,200-seat auditorium that converts into a 1,800-capacity hall for standing events, and a 220-seat suite for smaller events including dance, drama, meetings and conferences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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