NEWS RELEASES
Latest on proposed experimental pedestrianisation of Horsham's East Street and Market Square
3rd July 2007
A NUMBER of comments have been received in response to the recent consultation about the proposed experimental pedestrianisation of East Street and Market Square in Horsham.
Local traders, the public and other interested parties were recently asked to comment on proposals by Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council for a one year long experimental pedestrianisation of Horsham’s East Street and Market Square.
A total of 40 detailed replies were received by the closing date of 8 July which were from a wide cross section of opinion. Included were positive and negative comments as well as constructive suggestions about the scheme.
The main issues raised by those replying were car access for the elderly and disabled, access for cycling and the arrangements for shop deliveries.
Half the number of respondents expressed a firm opinion for, or against, the experimental scheme with a 2 to 1 majority in favour of it. A core-time of operation of 11am-3pm was preferred.
Following this feedback, a reference group of around twelve interested parties will now be set up to consider the issues in more detail.
At this stage it is expected that the group will meet in about mid-July and again in August. The outcome of the group’s deliberations will be reported following the August meeting.
West Sussex County Council is required to seek approval from the North Horsham County Local Committee before the experimental scheme could be introduced. This is likely to be towards the end of the year.
During the first six months of such a scheme anyone will be able to comment or object on how the proposals are working and these views will be reported back to the County Local Committee before it decides whether or not to make the experimental scheme permanent.
Cllr Philip Circus, Cabinet Member for the Local Economy at Horsham District Council, said:
“We are grateful for everyone’s feedback and now plan to look at more detail at the issues raised.
“It is hoped that if the one year experimental pedestrianisation project is successful it would be a catalyst to attract further investment into the area.”
Lieut. Col. Tex Pemberton, Cabinet Member for Highways & Transport at West Sussex County Council, said:
"If the experimental scheme does go ahead, I would urge everyone to feed their views back to North Horsham County Local Committee, who will seriously consider them towards the end of the year.
“Your views are critical in assessing whether the scheme is a success or not."
Further information about the scheme is available from Chris Carey, Head of Property & Economic Development at Horsham District Council
(email: chris.carey@horsham.gov.uk).
Ends
Note to editors:
The public and interested parties were recently asked to comment on the proposal that East Street and Market Square in Horsham be pedestrianised Mondays to Saturdays (inclusive) initially on an experimental basis, for four or six hours a day (either 10am to 4pm or 11am to 3pm).
The scheme would make East Street and Market Square a traffic free environment during core time shopping hours with access for emergency vehicles only.
Access to designated on-street parking areas would be maintained for deliveries and service vehicles outside the core times but would be prohibited during them.
The proposed scheme would also mean that cyclists would be asked to dismount their bicycles during core times whilst in East Street.
Because the proposed scheme is experimental, only minimal works would be possible in the road itself with provision of some new seating areas, planting and street furniture.
Comprehensive works, including a new shared surface, could be introduced later if the experimental scheme was successful.
Funding for the trial scheme would come jointly from Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council.
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk