Town has its say on the future
THE people of Warwick grabbed their first opportunity to have their say on plans for some major improvements to the town centre.
A masterplan has been drawn up by Warwickshire County Council to address traffic problems and air quality in the town, and a six-week public consultation began last Thursday.
That plan was on show at Warwick market on Friday and Saturday, where a huge turnout was reported. The exhibition took up three stalls with large numbers of residents inspecting the plans throughout the two days.
The proposals include:
- Wider pavements and new pedestrian crossing points.
- Cycle lanes and shared use cycleways.
- Cycle-contraflow on one-way streets.
- One-way routing northbound along The Butts, and eastbound along High Street and Jury Street.
- Traffic restrictions in Castle Lane.
- Priority signals for buses.
- Review of signage and street furniture.
- Removal of all yellow lines and the introduction of a Restricted Parking Zone.
- Junction alterations at key gateways.
- 20mph zone.
- Extensive changes to the layout of Priory Road.
Also being considered as part of the improvements are park and ride services for Warwick and Leamington, area wide improvements to walking and cycling, and working with employers and schools to encourage walking, cycling and car-sharing.
Some of the proposals could be delivered within two to five years, subject to funding, the council said in the consultation documents.
Cllr John Holland, who represents Warwick West Ward on the county council, said: “There was strong interest from the public at the town forum on Thursday night, and through out Friday and Saturday at the market.
“The whole purpose of the consultation is to seek people’s wider views and we can’t form a view as a council until we know those views, and we encourage people to have their say, which very many people did over the weekend.”
A spokesman for Warwickshire County Council said: "The consultation on proposed ideas for Warwick Town Centre was launched at the Warwick Community Forum on Thursday, 7th July, followed by an exhibition in Warwick’s Market Square on Friday, 8th, and Saturday, 9th July.
"All events have been very well attended, with people keen to hear about the ideas and to share their views on them. Where people had queries, it was good to be able to answer these face to face – we will be updating the website with answers to these queries so that others can see the response.
"The consultation runs until 22 August so there is still plenty of time for residents to make their views known. The proposals are available online to view at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/warwicktowncentre, where an online questionnaire is also available. The plans will also be available to view at Warwick library – please speak to a member of staff to be able to view them."
