Comment
Town Centre Masterplans
Representation ID: 871
Received: 15/02/2008
Respondent: Mr J Alcock
Pedestrianisation Of Rochford Market Square
I fully support the removal of car parking in Rochford Market Square. For the sake of providing car parking, the whole character of this traditionally central feature of a typically English market town has been destroyed. As a visitor enters the Market Square on foot he or she is not struck by the attractive historic buildings and the homely atmosphere that an enclosed public space should present.
A visitor or resident is unable to enjoy the visual effect of the Market Square's variety of English architecture because it is necessary to concentrate totally upon remaining safe in what has become a most stressful environment for any pedestrian.
Extreme care has to be taken to avoid colliding with the bonnets of the many vehicles which overhang the pavement. Care has to be taken to leave plenty of room for those motorists who drive so quickly into the parking areas that their cars do not actually come to a halt until after their bonnets have projected over the pavement. Vehicles start up suddenly, startling anyone passing in front of them. In this age of litigation and compensation claims, I always wonder why virtually no feature has been included to minimise the risk of vehicles overshooting the pavement. There is no "protective terrace" around the edge of the Market Square to prevent vehicles parking with wheels up against the edge of the pavement and their bonnets obstructing the pavement. These terraces are a standard feature of many car parks..
Motorists who are waiting for a parking space obstruct the raised entrance area to the car park. Pedestrians have to remain extremely vigilant as they pass in front of or behind these obstructing vehicles in case the driver has not applied the handbrake and taken the vehicle out of gear. A pedestrian attempting to cross in front of one of these vehicles could easily be injured if it rolled forward.
The town centre of Rochford has the potential to be both architecturally outstanding and to offer a very attractive social atmosphere. At present the quality of life of visitors to central Rochford is, in my opinion, very adversely affected by the dominance of motor vehicles.(Many vehicles hurtle into the town centre far too fast.)
It is necessary to decide whether the convenience of the twenty motorists who can park in the Market Square at any one time is more important than the provision of an an attractive zone which would greatly enhance the enjoyment, relaxation and safety of the many senior citizens and others who use Rochford's shops and facilities.
Likewise it is necessary to decide whether it is more important to maximise revenues from the Main Car Park and, as a result, maintain the present unpleasant situation in the Market Square or to provide a short period of free parking in the Main Car Park in order to restore the Market Square to the people-friendly ambiance which would enhance the quality of life of residents and visitors.
A period of free parking in the Main Car Park would almost certainly help to reduce the noise, air pollution, obstruction and environmental waste caused by the queue of vehicles waiting for a vacant place. It would also avoid the obstruction of buses and other traffic. This would be Rochford's direct contribution to the Environment.
A basic principle governing the re-development of the Market Square should be that it should attract civilised users during the daytime but not attract uncivilised users after dark. Planted areas and seating would need to be designed in a way that would minimise the danger of vandalism. The provision of tables and chairs during the daytime could be the responsibility of the catering businesses and other organisations which border the square. These tables and chairs could be removed overnight.
Whatever architectural materials are used in the re-development need to be very carefully chosen so that they are in keeping with the age of the surrounding buildings. The choice of virtually white paving stones should definitely be avoided. The design of the area needs a great deal of thought and should involve a great deal of discussion and critical appraisal.
The benefits of the provision of a really attractive amenity in the centre of Rochford will not be fully realised unless it is made far safer for pedestrians to actually reach the Market Square.
Unfortunately the attractiveness for residents and visitors is considerably reduced by the marked lack of
provision for the safe passage of pedestrians. The centre of Rochford is not, in my opinion, a very safe place to approach on foot. Vehicles hurtle though the narrow gap leading into North Street and shoppers in North Street (many of whom are old) run the risk of being struck by these vehicles.
The many old people who live in the East Street area have no provision for crossing East Street safely
on their way to shop and to meet their friends in the Market Square. In my opinion the following actions would make drivers more aware of their responsibilities:
1. Paint "SLOW" at least twice on the road surface in South Street as it approaches the narrow gap leading
into North Street.
2. Paint "SLOW" at least three times on the road surface in East Street starting at the Post Office Sorting
Office and ending alongside the Bus Stop.
3. Introduce a 20 m.p.h. Speed Limit in North Street.
There is little point in attracting visitors if they in danger of getting run over on their way to the re-developed Market Square.
I am most encouraged by the Council's decision to consider re-development and wish it every success.
Pedestrianisation Of Rochford Market Square
I fully support the removal of car parking in Rochford Market Square. For the sake of providing car parking, the whole character of this traditionally central feature of a typically English market town has been destroyed. As a visitor enters the Market Square on foot he or she is not struck by the attractive historic buildings and the homely atmosphere that an enclosed public space should present.
A visitor or resident is unable to enjoy the visual effect of the Market Square's variety of English architecture because it is necessary to concentrate totally upon remaining safe in what has become a most stressful environment for any pedestrian.
Extreme care has to be taken to avoid colliding with the bonnets of the many vehicles which overhang the pavement. Care has to be taken to leave plenty of room for those motorists who drive so quickly into the parking areas that their cars do not actually come to a halt until after their bonnets have projected over the pavement. Vehicles start up suddenly, startling anyone passing in front of them. In this age of litigation and compensation claims, I always wonder why virtually no feature has been included to minimise the risk of vehicles overshooting the pavement. There is no "protective terrace" around the edge of the Market Square to prevent vehicles parking with wheels up against the edge of the pavement and their bonnets obstructing the pavement. These terraces are a standard feature of many car parks..
Motorists who are waiting for a parking space obstruct the raised entrance area to the car park. Pedestrians have to remain extremely vigilant as they pass in front of or behind these obstructing vehicles in case the driver has not applied the handbrake and taken the vehicle out of gear. A pedestrian attempting to cross in front of one of these vehicles could easily be injured if it rolled forward.
The town centre of Rochford has the potential to be both architecturally outstanding and to offer a very attractive social atmosphere. At present the quality of life of visitors to central Rochford is, in my opinion, very adversely affected by the dominance of motor vehicles.(Many vehicles hurtle into the town centre far too fast.)
It is necessary to decide whether the convenience of the twenty motorists who can park in the Market Square at any one time is more important than the provision of an an attractive zone which would greatly enhance the enjoyment, relaxation and safety of the many senior citizens and others who use Rochford's shops and facilities.
Likewise it is necessary to decide whether it is more important to maximise revenues from the Main Car Park and, as a result, maintain the present unpleasant situation in the Market Square or to provide a short period of free parking in the Main Car Park in order to restore the Market Square to the people-friendly ambiance which would enhance the quality of life of residents and visitors.
A period of free parking in the Main Car Park would almost certainly help to reduce the noise, air pollution, obstruction and environmental waste caused by the queue of vehicles waiting for a vacant place. It would also avoid the obstruction of buses and other traffic. This would be Rochford's direct contribution to the Environment.
A basic principle governing the re-development of the Market Square should be that it should attract civilised users during the daytime but not attract uncivilised users after dark. Planted areas and seating would need to be designed in a way that would minimise the danger of vandalism. The provision of tables and chairs during the daytime could be the responsibility of the catering businesses and other organisations which border the square. These tables and chairs could be removed overnight.
Whatever architectural materials are used in the re-development need to be very carefully chosen so that they are in keeping with the age of the surrounding buildings. The choice of virtually white paving stones should definitely be avoided. The design of the area needs a great deal of thought and should involve a great deal of discussion and critical appraisal.
The benefits of the provision of a really attractive amenity in the centre of Rochford will not be fully realised unless it is made far safer for pedestrians to actually reach the Market Square.
Unfortunately the attractiveness for residents and visitors is considerably reduced by the marked lack of
provision for the safe passage of pedestrians. The centre of Rochford is not, in my opinion, a very safe place to approach on foot. Vehicles hurtle though the narrow gap leading into North Street and shoppers in North Street (many of whom are old) run the risk of being struck by these vehicles.
The many old people who live in the East Street area have no provision for crossing East Street safely
on their way to shop and to meet their friends in the Market Square. In my opinion the following actions would make drivers more aware of their responsibilities:
1. Paint "SLOW" at least twice on the road surface in South Street as it approaches the narrow gap leading
into North Street.
2. Paint "SLOW" at least three times on the road surface in East Street starting at the Post Office Sorting
Office and ending alongside the Bus Stop.
3. Introduce a 20 m.p.h. Speed Limit in North Street.
There is little point in attracting visitors if they in danger of getting run over on their way to the re-developed Market Square.
I am most encouraged by the Council's decision to consider re-development and wish it every success.