OPINION: Letters to the editor of the Newbury Weekly News
Pedestrianisation is not enhancing town
Meg Thomas (Lib Dem councillor for Wash Common) says she feels “enhanced” that she can now walk safely through the town when it’s car free in the evening to go to Goldwell Park (Newbury Weekly News, June 19).
To my knowledge, there have always been pavements in the town, so you can walk safely through there at any time.
I don’t think those of us who now have to sit in a sweltering car in stationary queues of traffic on the ring road every evening are feeling particularly “enhanced”.
The traffic has become far worse since Northbrook Street was closed off until 11pm for no good reason (you won’t force people out of their cars just by making life difficult for them, which is what the Lib Dems seem to think).
She also mentions a survey that says many people will find alternative routes if a road is closed.
What other routes through the town does she suggest we use apart from the A339?
If she finds one, perhaps she can let me know.
I am not at all against closing off the town centre a few times at weekends during the summer for special events, but to close it off until 11pm every day is just ridiculous.
As has been written by many people, a clear majority voted not to do this, but were ignored.
I think therefore the council calling themselves Democrats is a bit rich.
I see several businesses in the town have shut in the last week or so and I’ve been told there are likely others to follow.
Obviously extended pedestrianisation is “enhancing” the town very well.
I guess no amount of criticism is going to reverse this situation immediately, but it is sad to see the town centre declining, particularly when it’s self inflicted.
Of course, our councillors are right and the majority of people and businesses against it are wrong, which is the unfortunate way Newbury seems to operate now.
It’s such a shame.
Rose Curtis
Andover Road, Newbury
A biased viewpoint on pedestrianisation
Meg Thomas gives a glowing endorsement of the pedestrianisation scheme in the town.
But it is hardly an unbiased opinion, seeing as she is a Liberal Democrat town councillor and presumably an architect of the scheme.
On a number of points I take issue to her letter.
She says that concerns are not insurmountable without offering any solutions to those concerns other than quoting some spurious conclusions of the London cycling campaign regarding pollution levels.
Apparently fears of increased pollution levels are not borne out by their findings.
Yet common sense tells us that if a certain amount of traffic creates a certain level of pollution then adding to the amount of traffic will by definition increase the level of pollution.
I’m happy for you, Meg, that you have the ability to walk/cycle the length of Bartholomew and Northbrook Street to get to your picnic but spare a thought for the elderly and immobile who would, for example, like to support the Corn Exchange but cannot gain access to the Market Place to be dropped off at the front door by family due to the road closure .
Ironic too that you choose a picnic when we’re told the scheme is supposed to support local business.
It’s a ridiculous scheme, invented by ridiculous people with ridiculous ideals.
Jon Miller
Braunfels Walk, Newbury
This shows we’re not in the Mediterranean
Last week I walked down Northbrook Street from the bridge to the bandstand at around 6pm.
Obviously there was no traffic because it was pedestrianised.
There were lots of people, but they were all walking quickly away from the retail area, presumably towards their homes.
It was a hot evening in the middle of this heatwave.
I saw a total of six people sitting outside having a cup of coffee.
Café society isn’t working, even when it should be in that heat.
All of the shops were closed, and to be fair it was probably too early for the restaurants to be busy.
I walked back through Market Square and a lot of people were there drinking in the bars away from the road.
It was quite buzzy and fun.
We are not a Mediterranean country and even in a heatwave it is not the same vibe.
Shops do not close in the afternoon and then stay open into the evening.
I got back to my car to drive home and the queues to get back on to the A339 were horrendous.
Liberal Democrat administration, what are you thinking of?
This experiment is clearly flawed.
You proceeded with it when public consultation indicated that over two-thirds were against but you ignored that despite your claims to be transparent.
Why not, just for once, admit that you got it wrong and stop this fiasco immediately?
Howard Woollaston
Chairman, Newbury Conservatives
I do not support extra pedestrianisation
How lovely it must have been for Meg Thomas, Liberal Democrat town councillor, Newbury Wash Common ward, to enjoy a picnic with friends, enhanced by her journey through Bartholomew Street and Northbrook Street, car free.
Sadly, this may not be the case for those with walking difficulties.
They will now need to park in the Kennet Centre, or be dropped in close proximity, instead of being dropped off outside a restaurant, pub or indeed the Corn Exchange for a performance.
Of course there is closer parking in the Wharf area but you need pay by phone.
This is for some confusing and worrying, and to others impossible.
I do not support the West Berkshire scheme for our town.
Footnote: Pedestrian comes from the Latin ‘Pedester’, meaning going on foot.
Pedestrian, a person walking rather than travelling in a vehicle.
In the eyes of the law, if you are riding a bicycle on the road, it is considered a vehicle on the road.
When you dismount and walk alongside your bicycle, you are a pedestrian.
Cyclists should not ride on the pavement.
Tina Hawkins
Newbury
Parish council wants a real say on Local Plan
Throughout the various stages of the development of the WBC Local Plan Bucklebury Parish Council opposed the proposed development of an unsustainable site in North East Thatcham.
However, we must now address the new reality; the Local Plan has been adopted by WBC and there will be development in NE Thatcham.
Therefore, as a parish council, we are ready to engage fully and constructively with the masterplanning process for the site to mitigate the worst aspects and support aspects of benefit to residents.
Our understanding of the ‘community engagement’ on masterplanning is a process whereby we and other stakeholders are involved in the definition of the process from its inception right through to its conclusion in the production of a Supplementary Planning Document.
It is not just being asked to comment, under the pretext of consultation, on agreements between WBC and the site’s developers.
Conscious of the hundreds of additional daily car journeys from the development coming through Upper Bucklebury, Bradfield Southend and Cold Ash because of traffic congestion on the A4 and Floral Way we have traffic as one of our priorities.
Our second issue is the extent of the proposed Green Infrastructure covering approximately 50 per cent of the site according to the Local Plan and the need to maintain the strategic gap between Upper Bucklebury and Thatcham.
We intend to also keep a close eye on the educational and health infrastructure provision, ensuring that this happens in conjunction with the housebuilding.
Our parish council will try to ensure the best outcomes for our parishioners from masterplanning and the subsequent planning application process.
Barry Dickens
Chairman, Bucklebury Parish Council
