Plans to part-pedestrianise Shaftesbury High Street backed
But one councillor claims the decision has been "railroaded"
Town councillors in Shaftesbury have backed plans to keep the High Street mostly traffic free – but one councillor says the decision has been ‘railroaded’ and many oppose it, including some traders.
Said Cllr Peter Yeo:
“Despite lots of opposition to even temporary pedestrianisation during the last year, the cabal of undemocratic Shaftesbury town councillors voted to try and get pedestrianisation permanently inflicted upon Shaftesbury via a Dorset Council highways traffic order, just because Cllr Piers Brown and his gang think it’s a good idea. Never mind what the shop keepers or High Street residents of Shaftesbury want.”
But Cllr Brown, who promoted the move, says the part pedestrianisation has been popular and has made the street a pleasant place to shop and meet friends.
He has argued that it is good for the economy of the town and claims that more than 80 per cent who responded to recent surveys support the idea.
The current Traffic Regulation Order which allows the 9am to 4pm part pedestrianisation and a one-way system is expected to come to an end on June 21, if the Government’s remaining Covid restrictions are lifted.
Said Cllr Yeo:
“The vast majority of people in Shaftesbury have no idea that the town council are even thinking of this pedestrianisation scheme and yet they voted to tell Dorset Council to start the process…
“For something as seriously changing for the town as this, nothing should be done without leaflets and brochures going to every household and a Parish Poll vote like an election should be called, but no, they have just put up a ‘survey monkey’ on the town hall website and put out forms in the High Street with loaded questions to get the answer they want.
“They have not even finished getting the answer to that ‘research’ and yet they have already voted to request Dorset Council to start the pedestrianisation.”
Cllr Yeo says that There is no rear access delivery to the shops and the town is short of car parking since the sale of the cattle market site. He says pedestrianisation also disadvantages disabled people.
“Many elderly and disabled are even being prevented from driving to church at St Peter’s in the High Street. I gather the Bishop of Salisbury has complained to the council about it, but has been ignored,” said Cllr Yeo.
“The scheme a small majority of town councillors voted for will devastate many businesses in town and prove to be a disaster for a large number of shoppers and residents if it is ever implemented by Dorset Council.”
Traffic regulation orders often take 18 months or more to complete. The process includes the idea being put to the test, and if approved by Dorset councillors, then goes to a public consultation stage. If there are then objections these have to be considered before the proposal again goes before a committee for a final decision.