The public realm scheme for Tenbury is still limping along in the background. Much of the delay is due to Tesco's delay in starting their project, but there is also no firm decision on the concept of shared space.
It would seem that many of the traders and the vocal public are against the concept. I too have my doubts that such a scheme can be used on a relatively busy road.
However the video below, goes a long way to alleviating my doubts. It's quite long, but worth watching to the end.
Let me know what you think.
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6 comments:
A brilliant and informative video - a must-see for anyone doubting the value of shared space.
On our regular visits to France, we comment on the great number of shared space schemes, of various sizes, and the way they make the towns and villages so much more person friendly. Priorities and relationships change - the pedestrian is on equal footing with the car.
There are several important points to consider, I think:
1. Any scheme must be thoroughly and completely thought out and should include the whole of Tenbury centre from the A456/Teme Bridge to the Market.
2. Priorities will change so that with the pedestrians and traffic on an equal footing, Tenbury can again belong to people and not the car.
It CAN work, but will take careful planning by an expert in the field, time and patience and, possibly most problematic - money!
Here's hoping!
Richard Sharp
I think for a balanced view the articles on Exhibition way should also be seen and there are issues for the visually impaired.Most schemes are for much larger roads and junctions whereas smaller high streets like Tenbury are not shared with cars.It would look nice but given the restricted space available all parking would have to go from Teme Street and drainage carefully considered given Tenburys flooding history.
I`ll keep and open mind but Richard is probably right in that Money will be the biggest issue.
I agree with Richard. I have seen these schemes work well in France as well as in other parts of the world. My only reservation, so far as Tenbury is concerned, is the relatively small space available. I think a sense of ‘shared spaciousness’ is really very important and I’m not convinced that that can be achieved here.
The real problems are the bend by the Crow, the narrowness by the Tavern, the awkward bridge, and by the Swan traffic coming from Ludlow can get held up by traffic waiting to turn right into Tenbury. None of these problems will be fixed by shared space - let's spend the money on fixing the real problems!
From one Anonymous to another what are the real problems? Only by getting rid of through traffic altogether via a bypass will you reduce the flow of vehicles and then who would every see our lovely town and think to stop??
I am in agreement with most of the points already made. The key points I picked up were:
1. It needs to be the entire town, we have a natural gateway at one end - ie the bridge, but at the other it needs to be, in my opinion somewhere near to Shamraj.
2. Poynton had "space" that they could change, ie from 1 lane to 2 we don't have that luxury, and you need space to create shared space.
3. This scheme had no traffic lights or designated crossing - which is at odds to what WCC are proposing, stating that VIPs need the crossings, tactile surfaces have been used to engineer this out in Poynton...
4. £4million for a scheme which is far more extensive than the one proposed for Tenbury.....how can Cheshire Council do it for less?
I am still not entirely convinced, there are still lots of problems in Cleobury Mortimer and the shop keepers there have very mixed feelings about the scheme.....It will cost a lot of money, is it the best way of spending Tax payers money? More car parking in line with the Portas report - ie free, is what is needed and then maybe sacrificing a few parking spaces on Teme St would be easier to swallow for the traders. (and no if Tesco does eventually come the car park issue does not go away - it gets worse....)
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