Give thought to redesign
Somerset Standard readers will be aware of the much documented plans to redesign Frome's town centre.
Most people would agree with enhancements to the town centre if economic viability is improved and visitors and shoppers enjoy the experience.
I'm personally disappointed that the town council spent thousands of pounds on a feasibility study which completely ignored the impact such changes may have on traffic. Any action always has a reaction and making the town centre more pedestrian friendly will mean traffic is displaced on to other roads, mainly, Christchurch Street, Portway, Wallbridge, North Parade and Rodden Road.
We've experienced problems in these areas already when the successful Sunday Super-Market takes place. Imagine these problems every day of the week?
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Frome's town centre businesses depend on visitors; if accessing the town is made difficult then it's possible visitor numbers will decrease. Again the feasibility study didn't really take this into account.
So, here are some questions for the town council.
How much did the feasibility study cost, including officer time, presentations and advertising etc?
How much will the town centre enhancements cost and will taxpayers be expected to pay for it?
How much traffic will be displaced on to other roads if the enhancements take place and how much will it cost to improve these roads in order to take extra traffic?
Will visitor numbers increase or decrease as a result of the suggested changes?
Why was there no brief on sustainable transport or the creation of cycle routes as part of the new proposals?
I don't think any of these questions have been answered by this feasibility study. I'm also disappointed that Frome's county councillors, who deal with traffic and transport issues, were not consulted on these proposals before a feasibility study was ordered and paid for.
If we're going to make changes to the town centre, it's imperative we get it right. We must make sure that all aspects of such changes are considered. I'm afraid the town council seems to have spent a lot of money on rhetoric and labelled it as feasibility.
The town centre does need more crossings and a better experience for pedestrians but I'm worried that it will get something else if we're not very careful.
ALVIN HORSFALL
County Councillor Frome South
Hillside House
Keyford, Frome
Comments
by slevels
Monday, January 28 2013, 10:40PM
“Ah, Alvin Horsfall. The man who, some time ago, when I posted a comment on his website about LD County Council behaviour on libraries....... the comment never appeared. But some time later, he put up a new post, which didn''t mention my comment, but had a long screed of self/Party justifications about their behaviour.
Lovely.”