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THE BALDOCK SOCIETY

DETAIL

Thank you for forwarding the comments, we will make sure they are all given consideration and passed on to the relevant parties.

I will keep you informed of progress.

Landscape Architect Associate
Building Design Partnership

 

DETAIL

Context: At its October 2007 meeting, the Baldock Society Committee considered its response to the additional 'Category B' studies that NHDC had confirmed would be carried out in relation to the Town Centre Enhancement.

Details of the Category B studies were presented to the Baldock Area Committee at its meeting on 7 August 2007 and are attached here, in PDF format (opens in a new window or right click and select 'save as'): NHDC_Baldock Committee 7Aug07 Agenda 6 Item (222KB)

We had a good meeting and the following is what the committee have asked me to convey to you:

i) Slip Road....
Not discussed.

ii) Extent of Parking Controls....
The consensus was that this should be left to the experts as it is a very complex issue. We query if permit systems work. Any controls must be carefully thought through to ensure they provide solutions, not further problems. We see this item as being linked to items iii) and vi).

iii) Train Station Car Park.
We would encourage full use of the station car park and for the train operators to offer incentives for their customers to use the facility, by means of free permits or some other system when train tickets are purchased. The reason is to prevent rail users parking within the town causing congestion.

iv) Link to Tesco.
The preference is for a ramp, with good signage to the town centre and improved lighting in the general area, especially up the service road by the lodge house.

v) Land Ownership Issues.
No comments.

vi) Further Traffic Management.....
This is essential, but again very complex. Leave it to the experts.

vii) Junction at Station Rd/Whitehorse St.......
Yes, essential and a priority.

ix) HGV Restrictions.
Yes, but caution over displacement around other roads in the town, the restrictions should keep as much out of Baldock as possible.

x) Public Toilets.
Yes, at the Police station. Another suggestion was in Whitehorse Street in the new square or, behind the NHDC Hostel in Sun Street.

Our comments have been kept brief as we are sure you will have many to consider.
Let me know if you do require any further information on any points. We look forward to seeing the final proposals in due course. If any of our committee have any additional points to make, they will contact you directly.
Kind regards,

Chairman
Baldock Society

DETAIL

The following is a summary of the main points that the Baldock Society Committee feel are the essential elements to be considered in the "Town Centre Enhancement" scheme. These are in no particular order and have been deliberately kept brief as we think you already have a good understanding of the issues:

1. Retain the Character of town centre, but allow business, leisure and residence to grow in harmony and be equally viable.
2. Retention of the width of the High Street.
3. Include the top part of Church Street in the scheme.
4. Retain essential use of the Market Place for events such as the Annual Charter Fair, the Weekly Markets, the Baldock Festival Street Fair etc.
5. Retain the Memorial Garden as a focal point.
6. Resolve Parking Issues to ensure the Town Centre is not used for "all day convenience" parking (unless Baldock benefits) but complements the expansion of local business and the viability of the Town Centre as a place to work, live and play.
7. Ensure the boundaries between the "enhanced" areas and "non-enhanced" areas are soft and not too apparent.
8. Standardise pedestrian surfaces and consider reducing the effects of rain water discharge onto the pavements by use of drain channels across the pavements to the kerb. Ensure that unsuitable surfaces are not used and that everything proposed is "functional" for it's life cycle.
9. Retain the Red Phone Box and encourage BT to increase the number.
10. Increase the number of trees in suitable locations.
11. Lighting, street furniture to be reviewed and rationalised without resorting to "quaint" features.
12. It is almost unbelievable that the future of the Town Hall is being determined independently from the Town Centre Enhancements. It is such an important building to the general street scene. This separation should be reconsidered.

On a final note, there has been much discussion about how BDP will canvas opinion on the scheme(s) proposals to be taken forward. I attach a brief paper that encapsulates the views of our committee for your consideration. One consistent issue we find is that most of the people in the town are unaware of exhibitions and displays and therefore the opinion that is canvassed is never the majority but always the active minority. We think this initiative is too important and should be laid at the door of each and every resident, in good time, but allowing you to do your job as well.

If you would like us to expand on any of the above points, please let me know.

Many thanks,

Chairman
Baldock Society

ATTACHMENT: PDF Document (16KB) (opens in a new window or right click and select 'save as')

This page last updated on 17/08/2008 21:10