Who cares ? You care - TrustNews Jun 16
The Trust received 48 responses to the issues raised in ‘Bakers Dozen‘ in the March edition of TrustNews. Thank you to everyone who put finger to keyboard and pen to paper.
The article posed the question, ‘Do we all see and feel the same way about Winchester?’ Reading the responses, as far as the 13 issues tabled are concerned, the answer is very much yes.
While many responded to all the issues, others chose to comment on a few. The majority of responses agreed with all the issues, with the planning policy ideas of proposing the designation of a Green Belt and the City having a Cathedral City status receiving almost unanimous approval.
The most controversial matter is the street market in the High Street. 33 responses did not like the market and 8 did. Some did not like the market because of its impact on business for the shops. Most would prefer to see a permanent site found for the market included in future plans for the Silver Hill area.The outdoor cafe culture in the City received very favourable support, as did the new bus livery. In contrast the deterioration of the setting of the Cathedral and the condition of pavements received almost total agreement.
Some thought that the Cathedral should consider alternative ways of managing the Close to reduce the time that the south side of the Cathedral is denied its grass setting. At the time of writing, the seeded grass had just germinated only to be covered by a large marquee. It is difficult to imagine the wonderful verdant setting of the cathedrals in Salisbury and Exeter being subjected to similar treatment.
Much of the damage to pavements is caused by vehicles parking on them. The government is considering extending an all-out ban on pavement parking, which has been in place in London for 40 years to the rest of England. If this is done arrangements will need to be put in place for vehicles to unload and load.
While the congestion created by on-street parking was recognised many saw it as a traffic - calming measure.
Concern was shared about the impact created by the continuing growth of the University of Winchester and Peter Symond‘s College. While recognising the educational value of both, some thought that the catchment area for taking in students to Peter Symond‘s should be reduced.
Extending the hours for operating Park and Ride with the use of smaller buses, no further urbanisation of the water meadows to provide more parking and a rethink about the design and use of the paved space in front of the Law Courts, were among comments made on these issues.
Other issues raised were on air pollution, litter and improved cycle routes.
These issues and comments reflect the need to retain and enhance the delight of the City, whilst promoting planning and management policies that provide solutions to the many pressures that erode the cherished qualities of Winchester. This is a task which is central to the work of the Trust.