CHEB (September 29, 2009)- Stage I of the new pedestrian zone construction in Cheb between the streets Evropská and Májová was accepted on September 9, 2009. Work on stage II between Májová Street and King George Square has started at the same time. The builders were ready to start earlier but on demand from the town hall they took into consideration the culminating high touristic season.
The action is planned to be carried out in three stages. First period started in January 2008 with preparation work. Stage II will end in June 2010, stage III will last from July 2010 to July 2011. The town achieved to obtain a record grant from the Regional Operation Programme for this generously concepted pedestrian zone reconstruction. Total costs should be higher than 137.2 Mio CZK, but the town only pays 14.8 Mio from own budget, vice-mayor Miroslav Plevný said. The construction budget was actualized in August according to selection procedures results and a contract appendix including lower costs was signed.

The second stage solves pedestrian zone reconstruction in the section from Májová Street to King George Square. It will have the same form as stage I, the only difference is its lenght (stage I- 183 m, stage II - 230 m). In front of Prior department store next small square will appear paved in a way different from the surrounding pavement (in stage I it is situated in the neighbourhood of Májová Street) with three large lights, three metal oval benches and six platanes with lighting from below. Sound information board, drinking spot and three seesaws will be situated here as well.
The mobiliar in this second section of the pedestrian zone is composed of 13 light posts, 15 metal benches of various sizes, 10 litter bins with bags for dog excrements, four advertisement tubes, three posts with tourist indicators and three bike stands. The section will be completed with eleven decorative pear trees.
The pedestrian zone will be entered from King George Square near the symbolic Gate of History.   The winning design by sculptor Marian Karel will be installed in 2010. Time axis showing  the most important dates from the town history will start at the gate. This axis is a metal cover of drainage canal which will link to the finished axis part in stage I behind the pedestrian crossing over Májová Street.
Regarding the weather, the builders will try to finish about one third of this stage until Christmas, which is from Terea company seat as far as to Dejavu restaurant near Prior. Of course, they will not disturb Cheb visitors and inhabitants by noisy building activities in the end of the year, mainly in Christmas time.
Pedestrian zone reconstruction design originates from the workshop of prestigeous  studio A69 - architects. Thanks to this fact the finished part of the predestrian zone can pride itself on world unique LED lighting panels where various information can be given to the passants or just changing graphic motives in motion can be seen.
Apart from the pedestrian zone itself also reconstruction of neighbouring streets sections  are planned, mainly in Májová Street which will be reconstructed from the crossroad with Valdštejnova Street as far as to the crossroad with Dukelská Street. This will be carried out in stage III in 2011.


Indicative information on stage I financing (costs from  1.1.2008 to 31.8.2009)   

                  approved budget        reality
Total costs         54.3 Mio CZK      53.8 Mio CZK
of which
investment           53 Mio CZK      52.9 Mio CZK
non-investment    1.3 Mio CZK       0.9 Mio CZK

It is obvious as resulting from the given data that the budget for stage I was adhered  - saving is evident in non-investment costs. Demanded grant for stage I is cca 50 Mio CZK.