Survey shows support for changes to layout of Custom House Quay
Parking bays will be removed and they'll be more sitting out areas in Weymouth
A survey carried out by Dorset Council has shown widespread support for plans to change the layout of Weymouth's Custom House Quay.
But, Dorset Council says it has no plans to pedestrianize the area, this was only a temporary measure taken last year.
A public survey was launched on 13 January to gauge local opinion on hopes to provide a better mixed-use environment and creation of a safer space for walking and cycling, enhanced area for outside dining and improved air quality by reducing traffic along the route, while keeping access to the working harbour.
Over 1,400 people responded during the six-week period, with 58.2 per cent supportive of the whole scheme and 21.5 per cent not supporting the entire scheme as outlined.
The responses show a majority support for installing planters, seating and bollards, providing loading bays for businesses and harbour vessels, widening the footways, providing additional outdoor seating space for hospitality businesses and providing cycle parking in the area.
Support for the provision of dedicated disabled parking bays was narrower at 58.7 per cent.
The proposals for a contra-flow cycle lane split opinion, with 40 per cent in support, 50.3 per cent against and 9.7 per cent unsure of the proposal. Dorset Council say this element will need more consideration.
Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said:
“It was always going to be a challenge to please everyone as this is a heavily mixed-use area with harbour vessels, hospitality businesses, parking and an attractive setting for residents and visitors to enjoy.
“As a result of the survey responses we’ll be incorporating some of these elements as part of a temporary layout to help hospitality business reopen with outdoor seating on 12 April.
“During the peak season this year, we will install wooden bollards to mark out wider footpaths either side of the road, with the parking bays removed to facilitate this. We will also trial the proposed locations for the harbour vessel loading and unloading, we will review their locations and numbers towards the end of the summer to ensure any permanent bays are inline with the needs of the working harbour community.
“These are all still very much temporary measures for the peak visitor season, which we anticipate will be extremely busy once again. We’re continuing to develop what the permanent layout will look like.
“We will not be installing a contra-flow cycle lane as part of these temporary measures, but we may introduce it as part of the permanent enhancements. We have some concerns that people cycling, particularly family groups, may choose to ride in the new, wider pavement area, which could cause safety issues. We will be looking deeper at the feedback about this element and monitoring how people cycling use this area now the disused rails have been removed.”
In detail the responses were:
• Installation of planters, seating and safety bollards had support from 80.5 per cent of people, with 14.7 per cent opposing
• Provision of loading bays for businesses and vessels was supported by 87.9 per cent of people, with 8.4 per cent disagreeing
• Proposals to widen the footways on both sides of the road was support by 73.3 per cent of respondents, with 24.3 per cent opposing the idea
• Additional outside seating space for businesses was supported by 72.7 per cent of respondents, with 23.7 per cent opposing the idea
• Provision of cycle parking was supported by 63.6 per cent of people and opposed by 28.1 per cent of people
• Provision of dedicated disabled parking bays was supported by 58.7 per cent of respondents, with 30.9 per cent disagreeing
• Installation of a contra-flow cycle lane was supported by 40 per cent and opposed by 50.3 per cent of people
Responses to the survey included 839 written comments, which have been analysed. With five main themes reoccurring within these comments:
• Concerns about the loss of parking, particularly amongst those who enjoyed being able to park very close to the town centre (17% of comments)
• Sceptical or concerned about the idea of a contraflow cycle lane (15% of comments)
• Would have liked to see some degree of pedestrianisation, with access for businesses, rather than keeping the road open at all times (10% of comments)
• A desire to ensure that the interests of harbour-based businesses are not damaged (9% of comments)
• Concerns about the amount of street drinking and associated anti-social behaviour (8% of comments)
Cllr Bryan added:
“Unfortunately, it’s not possible for us to keep all the parking bays while improving the layout of Custom House Quay for an enhanced residents and visitor experience. The space we are able to allocate for vehicles needs to be prioritised for loading and unloading for businesses using the harbour and for disabled access into the town centre.
“Although there is some desire to pedestrianise the area, feedback from emergency temporary measures last summer doesn’t support this. The road provides essential access for harbour vessels, as well as being a key alternative route out of town.
“We know that night-time anti-social behaviour is a long-standing concern on this side of the harbour, especially during the summer months. We hope that by making the environment more attractive to families, this may encourage anti-social behaviour to move away from the area.
“As we continue developing the permanent layout design, we will be working with partners at Dorset Police to ensure that anything put in place doesn’t have a detrimental effect on the harbourside community.”
When will the work start?
Work to install this summer’s temporary measures on Custom House Quay will start on Monday 22 March. The parking bays will be removed, sitting out areas will be provided outside premises with plenty of space available for pedestrians either side of the road, and the road will remain open. Loading bays will be marked out for harbour vessels and other harbourside businesses.
Following on from comments received about Trinity Road last summer, and in discussion with businesses on this side of the harbour, sitting out areas will be provided on the highway but there will be no restrictions for drivers this year. The temporary layout will be in place in time for 12 April.