NEWS RELEASES
East Street and Market Square, Horsham - Proposed experimental core-time pedestrianisation - update
29th August 2007
AN UPDATE is being given about plans to improve the attractiveness of Horsham’s East Street and Market Square as a place to live, visit and shop.
Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council have recently carried out a joint public consultation exercise about the proposals.
As promoters of the scheme, the two councils are proposing a one year experiment starting next year that would see all traffic except emergency vehicles being banned from entering East Street and Market Square during the main shopping hours.
If the experiment is successful, the scheme could become permanent.
A reference group of local representatives and members of the public has been formed to come together to work through the previously received feedback from the people affected by the changes.
The first meeting of the group took place recently and representatives from local shops and businesses, people with mobility concerns and cycling interests were all able to express their views and explore the proposals in more detail.
By working together it is hoped that a design can be agreed which balances the needs of all those who use East Street.
The next meeting is scheduled for the end of September.
The outcome of the consultation and experimental scheme is to be reported to Councillors on a regular basis.
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.
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:
In the early summer of this year (2007), the public and interested parties were 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