Southgate Precinct, Halifax

The sketch and description are from The Calderdale Sketch Book by JL Berbiers, published in 1973 by The Halifax Courier Ltd. Moves to establish a pedestrian precinct in Southgate, Halifax, were made in March 1972 when the Highways Committee recommended that an experimental scheme to ban traffic during certain hours should be operated for a trial period of six months. This followed discussions with market tenants and Halifax Chamber of Trade. The scheme was put into operation on September 8th 1972 and in March 1973 it was decided to make the scheme permanent. In July 1973 a giant £56,000 machine began tearing away the macadam from the street and on September 12th Halifax’s first full-scale pedestrian precinct was officially inaugurated by the Mayor, Councillor Raymond Talbot. This picture allows for a degree of artist’s licence in that Mr Berbiers has drawn in trees, benches and flower tubs, the precinct not being complete at the time of his visit. PH/25.