West Berkshire Conservatives launch petition to stop the pedestrianisation of Newbury by Liberal Democrat-led West Berkshire Council
A petition has been launched to stop the centre of Newbury from being pedestrianised.
The plans – to prevent cars in the town centre from 10am until midnight – are moving forward into an experimental stage, after which West Berkshire Council will decide on whether the move is permanent.
But the Conservative opposition wants the scheme stopped.
They say pedestrianisation has the potential for many benefits, but they must not come at a cost to businesses and accessibility of the town centre.
Richard Somner (Con, Tilehurst South and Holybrook), shadow portfolio holder for highways, said: “West Berkshire Conservatives are encouraging the Lib Dem council to think again and consult with businesses and residents instead of forcing pedestrianisation onto them without mitigating any negative effects.
"Proposals include a minimum of six months and up to eighteen months of travel misery as they refuse to engage with local stakeholders until after the trial has started, meaning those with genuine concerns will not be listened to or have reasonable adaptations made in advance.
"Businesses will be forced to ensure that all deliveries are taken between midnight and 10am, which may simply be impossible due to complex supplier arrangements.
"Residents with mobility difficulties will be locked out of the town centre from 10am to midnight.
"The extension of pedestrianisation will only work alongside other infrastructure improvements and initiatives as part of the wider Newbury Town Centre Masterplan, and with the engagement of residents and businesses.
"This rushed, standalone proposal will only achieve traffic chaos and disadvantage businesses and residents.
"In order to make this work, all local businesses and residents need to have their chance to highlight potential setbacks so that they can be factored into proposals.
"We urge the Lib Dems to pause for just a short time to formally consult those affected.”
The proposal would see the pedestrianised zone, which currently runs from 10am to 5pm, run until midnight and would affect Northbrook Street, Bridge Street, Bartholomew Street (north), Mansion House Street and Market Place.
You can find the Conservative petition here https://www.wbca.org.uk/news/pedestrianisation
West Berkshire Council’s executive committee heard earlier this month that the experimental traffic order will be brought in for 18 months.
The first six months will be used for the public to comment on how the scheme is working – or not.
The local authority then has the following 12 months to review all of the comments, decide how to proceed and make the order permanent if the public support outweighs the objections during the consultation.