Pedestrianisation - step closer

The Community Services Scrutiny Committee has recommended that a form of pedestrianisation in Widemarsh Street in Hereford City Centre be approved.

The Committee, chaired by Cllr Chris Chappell, is asking that the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, Cllr Brian Wilcox, supports a form of pedestrianisation and recommends approval to Cabinet. 

The Committee recommended that:

The Cabinet Member (Highways & Transportation) consider the range of views expressed by the Community Services Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 11th January 2006 and reconvened on 13th January 2006, and has particular regard to its two principal conclusions, that:

(a) The Committee supports a form of pedestrianisation in Widemarsh Street, Hereford;

and;

(b) That taxis, buses and coaches should not be granted special access to Widemarsh Street if a form of pedestrianisation is approved.”

Cabinet will meet at Brockington, on January 26, when a final decision will be made on the future of the scheme.    

The Community Services Scrutiny Committee staged two meetings before the Committee reached its decision.

The first meeting was held at The Green Dragon Hotel, Broad Street, Hereford, on January 11.

Fourteen key stakeholders including representatives from the taxi association, police, bus company Stagecoach, the Royal National College for the Blind, Access for All, a variety of traders and Hereford Cathedral, were invited to the meeting to present evidence and have their say. Around 40 members of the public also attended.

That meeting was reconvened at Brockington, on January 13, when councillors considered the evidence which had been presented to it before arriving at its recommendation.

Cllr Chris Chappell said: “I believe that the Community Services Scrutiny Committee has made the only possible recommendation that the majority of Herefordians will support. 

“Of course there are a few people who will be unhappy with this, I respect  their view, but a positive message needs now to be given out.

“Hereford is a flourishing and a vibrant city where people can shop without  the fear of being run down or asphyxiated by fumes.”

The Scrutiny Committee was empowered to explore the economic, visitor and community aspects of the trial pedestrianisation. 

Under the trial pedestrianisation of Widemarsh Street, launched in June 2005, the road was closed to traffic seven days week from 10.30am – 4.30pm. 
  
The current pedestrianisation arrangements have been suspended, from January 9 2006, when work started on the complete repaving of High Street.

During these works, which are expected to last between 8 and 10 weeks, High Street will be closed to traffic and Widemarsh Street will only be open for access by delivery vehicles and taxis.

As part of the trial period, Herefordshire Council has engaged in a detailed consultation with the public.

This consultation has included around 80,000 questionnaires being sent to residents, business questionnaires, an on-line survey and a series of public meetings.