A Nantwich resident has called for work on limiting or preventing traffic on a busy town centre route to be speeded up.
Neil Dodd appeared before Nantwich Town Council requesting an update on discussions around potentially pedestrianising Pillory Street and Hospital Street in the future.
It has been proposed to put a “soft closure” in place on those two streets for a 24-hour period in May.
Mr Dodd, who lives on Cocoa Court, said a serious incident is likely to happen on the street.
“I’m curious about what the progression is with thinning out or limiting traffic along Pillory Street,” he told councillors.
“I overlook the street and there are constantly coaches and big lorries going down there past my windows.
“There is illegal parking along there all the time with very narrow pavement making it difficult for people walking down the road, constantly having to step around things.
“I’m just passionate and worried that something is going to happen down there for the wrong reasons.
“It’s particularly bad in the evenings, cars doing loops around the one-way system, revving engines up to each speed ramp.”
It follows a decision back in February when town councillors agreed to plans for a “soft closure” of Pillory Street and Hospital Street for a day.
The idea is to allow for studies on the impact it has on air pollution, local business and pedestrian footfall.
One councillor who backed it says it could “lead to permanent pedestrianisation” of the two one-way roads.
The idea for the soft closure came from local environmental campaign group, Sustainable Nantwich.
The plan would be to close the two roads on Saturday May 31, from 9am until 4pm.
The “soft closure” means cars could still drive through and park in Church Lane car park, but there would be no parking along the two streets.
Town council clerk Sam Roberts said there would be an update on the soft closure plans soon.
(pic by Google Maps)
Stupid idea,the main town square is pedestrian only,so plenty of room for markets and outside events, with designated parking bays away from very narrow areas and the tight bend near pockets, both Pillory Street and Hospital Street contains many small shops and takeaways which depend on passing trade, so it would be stupid to close these roads
In the last couple of weeks alone I have experienced several issues as a pedestrian. The road really is dangerous. I ended up queuing whilst walking home as an elderly couple stopped as line of cars passed. I’ve been nearly hit by wing mirrors on several occasions. The speed some drive down there is ridiculous. Something needs to be done
Do the trial
Assess the results
Do it again to verify the results
Make an inference from the data
Make a decision
Thats the correct approach and will cut through the noise. However, the objectives must be set clearly at the start.
To JM.
Thank you for your considered comments. Common sense prevails.
As a shop owner in Hospital Street I certainly hope this ridiculous idea of closing the two streets permanently doesn’t go ahead .
The shops rely on customers nipping in from the on street parking, People won’t pay to park & walk when only a few minutes are required.
See how many shops will close if the pedestrianisation goes ahead , I’ve worked in the town for 42years & never had a problem
Yet another Cheshire East bonkers idea
Excellent suggestion Mark. Well done. At least somebody uses some common sense. 😁😁👍🏻
I visit Nantwich quite often to shop as in Crewe there’s nothing to shop for,we have a no vehicle zone in place from 10am till 4 pm and it’s an absolute joke.
It’s a one way system or supposed to be around market street.
I’ve seen vehicles driving up it the wrong way, driving in none permitted hours.
I once spoke to a police officer that was behind a vehicle in the none permitted hours of the day and enquired about it,
He said sorry there’s nothing I can do it’s up to the traffic wardens,WHY am I paying for a policing service that’s not fit for purpose.
There’s a camera situated on the square adjacent to William hill book maker why aren’t they talking pictures of perpetrators doing wrong and bringing them to justice.
Don’t tell me because of cut backs it’s not manned.
Close it fully nearly everyone who parks down there has no need to make it pedestrians only permanently
Closing it to all traffic?? You might as well close down the businesses then.
Has anyone thought how these stores get deliveries, where are the vans going to go. Try looking for the “service/delivery areas” for these places, it is extremely limited. Any store on Hospital Street would have to negotiate through the car park at the back, this is not accessible if cars are parked on it, the only other one at the back would be the old Costa Coffee one supplying the Church congregation, which you access from Hospital Street, closing that would be extremely detrimental.
More thought needs going into this, and as it stands people need to understand this is a public road, why people are oblivious to the one directional traffic is beyond me, there is nothing to indicate it’s a pedestrian area, rather like over the other side of town by the old Woolies store – Swinemarket Area is this being considered also?, think not
Coaches? What coaches use those roads?
Any lorries going through these streets will be deliveries to businesses… there is literally no other way to access the shops there.
I would agree that there is a parking problem, but that is caused in the main by people parking out of the allocated bays, which then cause obstructions to larger vehicles that are trying to make deliveries.
Surely the solution is to just red route the areas out of the bays?
CEC Highways are a complete and utter joke! Especially the team of monkeys in charge of Coordinationing of the utility companies!
I ask you. How long has this been open without any problem ? Seems to me someone has an own vision for self. I’m sure lorries etc don’t drive through for Fun and always have done . In 22 Years I’ve prob seen 1. 1 hr stops would be better . There is no need at all and if the occasional vehicle is offside in their driving , there is speed and Cameras for that.
Mr Dodd needs to evidence his assertions regarding “coaches” and ” big lorries” also vehicles driving “loops” . By evidence I would want to see video proof and logs of the traffic as I just don’t believe a coach driver would willingly drive his coach down those awkward roads. Also, let’s ask the question as to how many humans have ACTUALLY been hurt by traffic down those streets in the last 100 years. . How big is this issue or is it a non issue of health and safety being used to dress up this desire to alter the roads and the Historic usage of such ?
If it smells of NIMBY it is NIMBY
Great idea drive all business out of the town, just to appease a significant minority who no doubt would also welcome the increase in their property value.??? But I’m sure their true values are as stated 😵💫
Be careful ….it can lead to a Town that is just too quiet.
There are positives, but a balanced option is probably the best solution to suit road users and pedestrians.
GT just how are we all suffering, really?? there will be no massive issues, in Newcastle the council closed the Ironmarket from 10am to 4pm every day, there was a few arguments at the time, but it all worked out for the better, for example the shop I owned had buses parked up outside, engines running and the fumes were always in the air, not pleasant in summer. The moment it was closed large planters and seats could be added, and with the trees too makes a pleasant shopping experience, deliveries could easily be before 10am all my clients knew orders would be free to collect at either before 10am or after 4pm when the parking was free for tea time shopping, sometimes you have to try something to achieve a better end result , there is no second planet to go to when this one is ruined is there??
The Town Council have not published the pollution details and statistics for Pillory Street or Hospital Street. Please can Neil Dodd tell all residents what these figures are and the basis of recommendation.
I am a lucky 71 year old who can walk into town and easily walk up 5 miles in one go.
However there are a number of people who have to drive and rely on their Blue Badges to park in both Pillory Street and Hospital Street.
Mr Dodd can you give me your solution for these people?
I have lived in Nantwich 30years plus, traffic in both these roads stills seems manageable and not excessive.
I think you should continue to allow Blue Badge holders the use of both these roads.
The other week when there was an official diversion, Cheshire East did not hesitate to send the traffic down these roads. Then these roads felt dangerous!!!
No consideration for pedestrians then!!!
So Mr Dodd and Nantwich Town Council lets all know the greatness of your superior thoughts compared to the rest of the residents.
The Town Council waste enough of the tax payers money, so giving a simple explanation should not be difficult.
Pollution figures first please!!!
So one resident and one business called ‘sustainable’ Nantwich have backed the proposal and now we all have to suffer. Where do the 30 min short stay cars now park when they just want to pop into the town to support local businesses? I know where they go, to Morrisons or Sainsburys. It’s frightening how out of touch some people are. And as for sustainable Nantwich, we all do our bit where we can but when it’s rammed down our throats it does the opposite.
Close it at weekends to all traffic even deliveries and use the car park for an artisan market. In the week it can be used as is now and you get the best of both worlds.