Gwynedd Council has invited residents to have their say on a new ‘Signage Strategy’ for Bangor city centre.

 

The need for a Bangor pedestrian wayfinding strategy was highlighted in the Bangor City Masterplan of 2020. To make progress towards implementing some of the outcomes of the Masterplan Gwynedd Council has commissioned ABG Design to create a pedestrian wayfinding strategy. The project has been made possible through funding from the Welsh Government.

A consistent wayfinding strategy will play a vital role in making Bangor a friendly and welcoming city. Not only will the signage provide essential wayfinding information for visitors, it will help to regenerate the city by improving the appearance and generally lifting the look and feel of the city

An audit of existing signage found the following:

  • The current ‘fingerpost’ signs are in need of updating as they provide out of date information and are in need of repair
  • They blend into the surroundings and can easily be overlooked
  • There is a need for a system that can be easily updated as new building are introduced
  • The city would benefit from larger monolith signs in strategic locations that provide further information to visitors
  • The city would benefit from a new map with a comprehensive index of all key points of interest.

Four different orientations are being considered with ‘You are Here’ markers to aid orientation and navigation. This would work in conjunction with the fingerposts and monoliths to provide a consistent and joined-up approach to wayfinding.

Currently there are only four fingerposts close to the city centre. There are currently no signs providing visitors with information about the various destinations within the city.

The aim of this project is to extend the fingerposts to cover a pedestrian journey from the train station to the city centre and on to Bae Hirael and the Pier. A strategy for visitor information signs will also be explored.

Aims & Objectives

The strategy objectives are to create:

  • A dual language signage design in Welsh and English
  • A design that delivers information in a way that is easy to understand
  • A clear, safe and cohesive route through the city
  • A design compatible with the cityscape and surrounding area
  • A robust and durable signage system that can easily be updated to accommodate future developments

Key components

The strategy comprises two key components.

  • Monolith signs – a freestanding structure to be placed at key locations. Primarily consisting of a city wide map design and additional marketing information.
  • Fingerpost signs – a freestanding sign consisting of a post with one or more arms, known as fingers, pointing in the direction of each key destination.

How will the strategy be delivered?

Gwynedd Council does not expect the signage strategy will be delivered in a single phase. It is hoped that Gwynedd Council, working with interested parties locally, will be able to target regeneration funding.

Funding is yet to be secured however it is hoped that Gwynedd Council will be able to fund the manufacture and installation of the fingerposts through community regeneration funding.

Following this, it is hoped that other organisations with a vested interest in Bangor will be able to fund the monolith signs.

Key destinations within the city are as follows…

Train Station – Town Hall – Bae Hirael – Bangor University Reception

City Centre – Toilets – Public Library

Police Station – High Street – Cathedral

Nyth (youth performance cultural centre charity)

Storiel – Porth Penrhyn – Pier

Bus Station – Swimming Pool – College Park – Penrhyn Castle

For more information and to complete the questionnaire Click Here 

The questionnaire should e completed and returned to adfywio@gwynedd.llyw.cymru before 12 September 2022. For any further information please contact adfywio@gwynedd.llyw.cymru or 01286 679513.