I thought I would talk about my home town for a while today. I don’t know if you know but plans are afoot for the temporary pedestrianisation of Cleveleys town centre.
It’s been mooted many time by various people over the years, but they got nowhere. Usually with a ‘that can’t be done’ answer. No way were they even going to consider it.
Now it seems that the government are encouraging towns like ours to do just that to make more space for social distancing. So everyone’s realised that Cleveleys trade could maybe benefit from it too. Isn’t it amazing what people (LCC) can do when they want, cynical aren’t I. But never mind, as long as they are giving it a try.
Pedestrianisation of Cleveleys
It’s initially a temporary thing, with a few months trial. If it’s successful it could become permanent.
The reason that it’s being done now is to make more space for people to shop and maintain social distancing.
My immediate reaction to this was that a lot wouldn’t like it – and a lot would. So when Jane told me that it was going to happen I was my usual cynical self. Full of doubt that it would happen at all, if past experience was anything to go by! There’s always a lot of promises that this can happen and that can happen, only for it not to happen at all. After a Zoom meeting last week when she said it was going to happen, they nearly had to scrape me up with shock! Such was my astonishment!
You may or may not know, but she chairs the Coastal Community Team – a group of people known as Care for Cleveleys. They’ve done a lot of good things for the town, and all these volunteers are dedicated to saving it from the fate of a lot of other towns. That is where they’ve slowly ended up with so many empty shops until the place becomes a ghost town.
Making Space for People
They’ve had Zoom meetings instead of meeting physically so that they could carry on helping the town to improve and stay attractive to visitors. About three weeks or so ago, a council officer said that LCC could pedestrianise the centre bit of the high street to make space for people.
You can imagine we were amazed in the right way, if you see what I mean. When Jane told me all the measures that were going into place to make this happen I was stunned, but immediately said that a lot would love it or hate it, and it seems I was right.
Bear in mind that this is being done for a public health reason. Cleveleys has been busy (too busy) all through the lockdown. This will make more space for people to spread out while the coronavirus problem is ongoing.
Consultation
The full chapter and verse proposal was published on Visit Cleveleys at this link. Both to make sure that everyone knew, and they were invited to have their say.
A lot of people see the point that the pedestrianisation of Cleveleys will help to make more space for shoppers now while we need it. A few thought it a terrible idea. The good thing is that this is an opportunity for a trial. If it doesn’t work the roadblock can soon be moved.
So, all being well, barriers will soon be put up to block Victoria Road West. It will be closed at the clock bed near Wilko to the clock shelter at the sea end.
It will also allow cafes to spread out and use some of the middle of the road. I’m sure that will be popular with visitors and locals alike. Can you imagine it, a lovely café culture springing up down the centre of the road. It will be good if used properly. And they’ll all have to have a license to put tables and chairs out.
Problems with Pedestrianisation of Cleveleys
Relocating disabled bays and the few parking spaces were the main concerns, along with the taxi ranks. I’m sure this will all be sorted out.
It will seem strange at first. But like all things new, people have to give it a chance and a fair one, before they start complaining. Like the trams when there was an outcry about them when they were changed. I said at the time, give them a chance. What do you know, people love them now.
It’s the same with anything new no matter what it is. A lot of people don’t give it a chance, and make their mind up before whatever it is happens. So let’s hope that doesn’t happen with the pedestrianisation of Cleveleys!
