Rayleigh Town Centre Area Action Plan - Issues and Options
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Rayleigh Town Centre Area Action Plan - Issues and Options
Which of the circulation options do you prefer?
Representation ID: 25513
Received: 21/12/2009
Respondent: The National Trust Rayleigh Mount Local Committee
2 - way traffic in the High Street-
This is the option I would prefer. It would certainly require improvements at junctions, but it would give the greatest flexibility in terms of journey routes. I would like to see a taxi rank continue in the High Street.
The Existing Network-
If 2-way traffic cannot be achieved I would favour the existing 1- way system continuing. However, I would certainly not be in favour of 'shared space' in the High Street.
Partial Pedestrianisation-
Forcing traffic to use Bellingham Lane would certainly increase the number of people seeing the Windmill, if only from their cars, but it would make it more difficult for pedestrians to cross the road to and from Berry's Arcade, and at the High Street and London Hill junctions. Some of the large lorries that come through the High Street from time to time might find the route very difficult. I think the pedestrianised section may largely become deserted when the shops close and could suffer increased vandalism. Youngsters already congregate at the end of the town centre in the evenings, particularly around the Parish Church and King George's playing field, so it would not take much for them to regard the pedestrianised section as their playground after dark (especially outside Berry's Arcade I would imagine).
Full Pedestrianisation of the High Street-
I regard this as a totally unacceptable option. The High Street is so wide, with very generous pavements, that it is utterly unnecessary to pedestrianise it. The increased congestion in Websters Way would probably increase rat running problems (Love Lane/Crown Hill, then along Station Crescent/Upway for instance). Bellingham Lane would, effectively, be cut off from the High Street - isolating the Windmill even more than at present. I feel sure there would be more problems with anti-social behaviour/ vandalism when the shops were closed.
Pedestrian Crossings-
As someone who doesn't drive, and who walks everywhere, I am, perhaps more aware than most of problems confronting pedestrians. I would like to point out that the crossing at the junction of Bull Lane/ High Street has a far longer walking time for pedestrians than any other light-controlled crossing in the town centre. It seems to be biased utterly against pedestrians. Could consideration be given to improving it?
2 - way traffic in the High Street-
This is the option I would prefer. It would certainly require improvements at junctions, but it would give the greatest flexibility in terms of journey routes. I would like to see a taxi rank continue in the High Street.
The Existing Network-
If 2-way traffic cannot be achieved I would favour the existing 1- way system continuing. However, I would certainly not be in favour of 'shared space' in the High Street.
Partial Pedestrianisation-
Forcing traffic to use Bellingham Lane would certainly increase the number of people seeing the Windmill, if only from their cars, but it would make it more difficult for pedestrians to cross the road to and from Berry's Arcade, and at the High Street and London Hill junctions. Some of the large lorries that come through the High Street from time to time might find the route very difficult. I think the pedestrianised section may largely become deserted when the shops close and could suffer increased vandalism. Youngsters already congregate at the end of the town centre in the evenings, particularly around the Parish Church and King George's playing field, so it would not take much for them to regard the pedestrianised section as their playground after dark (especially outside Berry's Arcade I would imagine).
Full Pedestrianisation of the High Street-
I regard this as a totally unacceptable option. The High Street is so wide, with very generous pavements, that it is utterly unnecessary to pedestrianise it. The increased congestion in Websters Way would probably increase rat running problems (Love Lane/Crown Hill, then along Station Crescent/Upway for instance). Bellingham Lane would, effectively, be cut off from the High Street - isolating the Windmill even more than at present. I feel sure there would be more problems with anti-social behaviour/ vandalism when the shops were closed.
Pedestrian Crossings-
As someone who doesn't drive, and who walks everywhere, I am, perhaps more aware than most of problems confronting pedestrians. I would like to point out that the crossing at the junction of Bull Lane/ High Street has a far longer walking time for pedestrians than any other light-controlled crossing in the town centre. It seems to be biased utterly against pedestrians. Could consideration be given to improving it?
