Questionnaire success
Nearly 2,000 people across Herefordshire have replied to a questionnaire on the trial pedestrianisation of Widemarsh Street in Hereford City Centre – and there is still time for the public to have their say.
Around 1,800 copies of the questionnaire, which was attached to the November edition of Herefordshire Matters, have been completed and sent back to Herefordshire Council.
Staff are now busy collating the findings. The closing date for submitting forms is December 12. All questionnaires should be completed and sent to the address provided marked FREEPOST.
The questionnaire is just one consultation tool adopted by Herefordshire Council in an attempt to gauge public opinion over the scheme.
Other methods include a retailers’ questionnaire, public meetings and Internet survey.
Once compiled, the data will be added to a report, which will include a range of information gathered during the experimental scheme, including traffic surveys, air quality monitoring and a retail impact assessment.
Cllr Brian Wilcox, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) said: “The response we’ve had to this questionnaire has been very impressive.
“It proves just how much interest there is in this subject across the County.
“The comments provided will be extremely useful in assisting me and the Council’s Cabinet to come to a decision over the future of pedestrianisation in Widemarsh Street.
“Our decision on the future traffic arrangements in Widemarsh Street will have a significant impact on the future style of development in Hereford City Centre.”
Under the trial pedestrianisation of Widemarsh Street the road is closed to traffic seven days week from 10.30am – 4.30pm.
The current pedestrianisation arrangements will remain in operation through the Christmas and New Year period but end on January 9 2006 when work starts on the complete repaving of High Street.
During these works, which are expected to last between 8 and 10 weeks, Widemarsh Street will only be open for access by delivery vehicles and taxis. High Street will remain closed and inaccessible to vehicles.
Cabinet is expected to make a decision on the future of pedestrianisation in Widemarsh Street on January 26.
