Egremont Gateways
The entrances to Egremont on the A595 have been transformed, thanks to the Gateway scheme, which includes a pocket park near the Castle, and a community orchard. 
The scheme was identified in the Egremont mini master plan by the people of Egremont then the consultants, Gillespie's, produced a Baseline Report for Egremont Regeneration Partnership. Regeneration Partnership.
A display and exhibition was put on show in the Market Hall and the Library in June 2006 when over 300 local people attended and gaver comments through feedback form. The final planting scheme was subject to some revision in response to the consultation processes and budgetory restrictions.
Above: the roundabouts, north (on the right) and south . The final planting schemes for the north and south roundabouts can be downloaded here.
Trees have been planted round the edges of the junctions, and along the sides of the A595.
In keeping with the theme of Egremont's historic crab fair, the trees are fruit trees including cherry and apple varieties.
The effect is to create a boulevard for drivers coming towards the town and a feeling of continuity through the different entrances.
The community orchard is sited on the triangle of land on opposite side of the A595 to the cemetery, behind the living sign.
Local children and schools were involved in planting the semi-mature trees. These were used rather than very young saplings, to help give an immediate effect. The orchard will eventually be able to provide the apples for the Crab Fair cart. 
The work on the community orchard was done in partnership with Creative Egremont.
The cemetery lay-by has also been planted and land round the St Thomas' Cross roundabout. Work also included lighting plans for the two cemetery buildings and for the Castle with and new signage.
All the roundabouts are now completed and planted They boast sandstone walls, seen in construction above. .All the roundabouts are now completed and planted They boast sandstone walls, seen in construction here.
An area below the Castle has been developed as a pocket park, with terracing and fruit trees in keeping with the rest of the planting schemes.
Left: New planting at the Pocket Park, Hatters Went.
The park ties in with the new De Lucy resource centre developed with Age Concern NW Cumbria and Community Action of Egremont. The centre has meeting and conference rooms.
Paul Bainbridge's Gurning sculpture is sited in the gardens at the back of the new De Lucy centre when it is ready.The De Lucy garden also contains an existing mosiac that has just undergone renovation work.
The origional mosaic was created by Roz Waites.
Market Town Initiative funding has been used to enhance the town's car parks, and to develop riverside walks and cycle routes, to encourage visitors into the town centre.
The project, has been funded by West Lakes Renaissance and the European Regional Development Fund and implemented by the Egremont Regeneration Partnership with Copeland Borough Council.
The Pocket Park has been developed off South Street in Egremont on the site of what was origionally known as Hatters Went. The site, cleared to reveal the castle, has been planted and paved to provide a nice area to walk, sit or admire the view. M4latest274 108 Pocket Park General Arrangement Plan_C1.pdf
The history of Hatters Went
Alister G. Herd describes the history of the area now developed as Pocket park, and reminds us how it came to get its origional name of Hatters Went :
''As the Castle had no chapel within its walls, worshippers walked along a path leading from the postern gate and down the escarpment, crossed Skirting Beck and then along a cobbled path to the church.
Over the years buildings were erected on both sides of this cobbled path and Borough records in 1812 refer to the area as Hatters Went Freehold property there being occupied by John Cook a hatter.
In the early 1820's the factory came under the ownership of George Robert Williams, (1803-1877) and situated at the bottom of the path close to Skirting Beck continued production until the late 1800's.
Close to the area is is a bridge completed in 1822 to replace the Burras or Borough bridge that crossed further down stream the River Ehen, at this point the parish boundry between Egremont and ST Johns Beckermet.
This bridge gave the name to the area known today as Old Bridge, from where the old road led into town.
At the time of building of the new bridge the river was the main source of power to the towns' industries and standing on its bridge after completion at least five water wheels were in use in the vicinity''.
