‘Keep our town the way it is’ say Hungerford residents

That was one of the questions posed by Town Plan researchers, which prompted some fascinating replies - including that of one wag who suggested: ‘move it to the seaside!’
However the over-riding message from the 46 per cent of residents who responded to researchers was: “Keep our town the way it is.”
The Hungerford Town Plan Refresh 2013 document has now been published and is due to be delivered to each home by the end of August.
Chairman of the Hungerford Town Plan, Chris Scorey, said: “It’s a vision for the future of the town based on the views and wishes of residents and local businesses.
“A personal copy will be delivered to every household in Hungerford before the end of the month by a team of volunteers. Further copies will be available from the Town Council office or from the library.”
Question 50 in the survey asked about the single wish - and here are some of the suggestions, both practical and eccentric:
* no cars through the High Street during the afternoons, as in Hythe, Kent, so people stay longer, browsing shops, then stay to eat
* a magic wand to enthuse people of all ages to take pride in the town and contribute to it
* restore the Marsh to its original glory
* bring back the outdoor swimming pool and, finally:
* move the town to the coast so it becomes Hungerford-on-Sea
The Hungerford Town Plan was first introduced in 2005 and will be refreshed every five years from now on.
The latest Plan Refresh has been formally adopted by Hungerford Town Council and West Berkshire Council and
is supported by the Town
and Manor of Hungerford,
the Hungerford Chamber of Commerce, Hungerford Environmental Action Team (HEAT) and other local organisations.
Printing costs have been donated by the North Wessex Downs AONB, Greenham Common Trust and Hungerford Town Council. The full text and further supporting detail is already available at the Hungerford town website