24th Apr 2010 14:09
Posted by: Andrew Reid
Posted by: Andrew Reid
The two main functions of the High Street at present are that it is an important through route for traffic of all descriptions and it provides vital short term parking for shoppers and parking for deliveries and collections. As has been pointed out, there are no plans for pedestrianisation at present.
The plans which have been on display in the Library show a clear attempt to make the High Street more aesthetically pleasing and so attract more trade to the town. This is thoroughly commendable but appears to ignore the need for traffic flow and short term parking. At present short term parking is allowed on some sections of the High Street. Inevitably this is abused and shoppers park in other areas and cause problems in doing so. Even though Parking Wardens issue tickets from time to time, their role in controlling parking is ineffective. The illegal parking at the top end of the High Street often causes traffic jams on Church Street as well as blocking the junction with Hepworth Way. Further problems arise when vehicles park on the Bus stops, forcing the buses to stop in the middle of the road. The new parking plan will upgrade the bus stops in the area so that parking tickets can be issued, but this may not necessarily make a difference in practice. There has also been a tendency for vehicles to park on the zigzag lines adjacent to pedestrian crossings limiting the view of both pedestrians and drivers.
There do not seem to be any good reasons as to why the High Street cannot be made more attractive while at the same time allowing for free traffic flow, short term parking and increased pedestrian safety. It is all a question of understanding the needs and problems and then using careful design to achieve all the aims.
The High Street is sufficiently wide to allow 3 vehicle widths. The principle should be to widen the pavements to reduce the width to two vehicle widths. Then bus stops can be created which would be similar to those in Feltham, where a short bus lane is created, with a kerb on the outside and a ‘no-entry except buses' sign to deter any encroachment by other vehicles. Further parking and unloading bays can then be created on one side of the Street or the other. The road would be narrowed where there are pedestrian crossings and their approach, so that pedestrians have a clear view. This seems to be how other streets have been designed. (The full width crossing at the top end of the High Street following a narrowing of the Street near the Heart on the proposed plan seems to fly in the face of modern thinking and is potentially very dangerous). The use of more metal barrier fencing at the top end of the High Street would deter illegal parking, as it has done most successfully on Hepworth Way.
It is to be hoped that these ideas will be considered so that by careful design, illegal and inconsiderate parking can be eliminated by design and that the High Street will be a far more attractive and safer environment for all, while improving traffic flow, which will have the added benefit of improving air quality.
The plans which have been on display in the Library show a clear attempt to make the High Street more aesthetically pleasing and so attract more trade to the town. This is thoroughly commendable but appears to ignore the need for traffic flow and short term parking. At present short term parking is allowed on some sections of the High Street. Inevitably this is abused and shoppers park in other areas and cause problems in doing so. Even though Parking Wardens issue tickets from time to time, their role in controlling parking is ineffective. The illegal parking at the top end of the High Street often causes traffic jams on Church Street as well as blocking the junction with Hepworth Way. Further problems arise when vehicles park on the Bus stops, forcing the buses to stop in the middle of the road. The new parking plan will upgrade the bus stops in the area so that parking tickets can be issued, but this may not necessarily make a difference in practice. There has also been a tendency for vehicles to park on the zigzag lines adjacent to pedestrian crossings limiting the view of both pedestrians and drivers.
There do not seem to be any good reasons as to why the High Street cannot be made more attractive while at the same time allowing for free traffic flow, short term parking and increased pedestrian safety. It is all a question of understanding the needs and problems and then using careful design to achieve all the aims.
The High Street is sufficiently wide to allow 3 vehicle widths. The principle should be to widen the pavements to reduce the width to two vehicle widths. Then bus stops can be created which would be similar to those in Feltham, where a short bus lane is created, with a kerb on the outside and a ‘no-entry except buses' sign to deter any encroachment by other vehicles. Further parking and unloading bays can then be created on one side of the Street or the other. The road would be narrowed where there are pedestrian crossings and their approach, so that pedestrians have a clear view. This seems to be how other streets have been designed. (The full width crossing at the top end of the High Street following a narrowing of the Street near the Heart on the proposed plan seems to fly in the face of modern thinking and is potentially very dangerous). The use of more metal barrier fencing at the top end of the High Street would deter illegal parking, as it has done most successfully on Hepworth Way.
It is to be hoped that these ideas will be considered so that by careful design, illegal and inconsiderate parking can be eliminated by design and that the High Street will be a far more attractive and safer environment for all, while improving traffic flow, which will have the added benefit of improving air quality.
