‘We want a fundamental sea-change’
Last updated 19:29, Thursday, 24 January 2008
“We want to make the area more people-friendly,” he explained.
“The plan will have an effect on some people but I believe, given time, it will enhance the city and it will make that area of the city more vibrant. It is the only way forward.”
He admitted this was the only scheme put forward for the quarter but stressed that it was open for consultation and could be changed.
He said: “We have made our minds up on a principle but we are not so closed that we can’t look at concerns people have made.”
It is possible that the new parking and traffic system could be introduced for a trial period at first.
“One option is to make an experimental order and run it for six months,” added councillor Bloxham.
Mike Battersby, director of community services for the City Council, said a key priority for possible investors in the Renaissance scheme was to make more of the historic quarter.
“That is going to be a key driver for our economy,” he said.
He confirmed that there was no alternative plan, adding: “We have evolved this scheme from a range of options.
“We are trying to achieve a fundamental sea-change to restore the character of that area to something like it was before it became a car park.
“The problem we have got is that the traffic is detrimental to the area.
“We have got to introduce controls to make the best of the area.
“The plans are not a tablet of stone but it is non-negotiable that we want to stop the unnecessary traffic in the area and we are flexible enough to take on board people’s views.”
He sought to calm fears that the changes would lose customers for the local businesses, insisting: “We don’t want businesses to close in this area, we want more to open up.”
Mr Battersby said the West Walls could be pedestrianised in a future phase of the Renaissance development.
He dismissed fears that directing traffic out of the historic quarter along the route would turn it into a high-speed rat run or cause a traffic bottleneck at the Viaduct junction.
“There will not be the amount of traffic travelling from the quarter that there is now, and there are plans to site speed humps along West Walls,” he explained.
While this scheme is just the first phase of redeveloping the city, more expansive – and expensive – plans for incorporating the castle into the city have not been forgotten.
Chris Pearson, development manager for the Renaissance Project said: “We are working with county council colleagues to see what can be done on that.
“But there is not an easy solution to it.”
Councillor Bloxham added: “Once the northern relief road has been opened, it will give us a better opportunity to review the situation as a whole.”
A report on the consultation period and public views is due to go before city and county councillors in March.
