Intransigent Haverhill needs public inquiry about high street
Friday, 18th March 2011.
Haverhill has proved almost uniquely intransigent over the pedestrianisation of its high street, town centre business people have been told.
The result is that the proposed traffic regulations will have to go to a costly public inquiry.
It has proved impossible to negotiate a settlement with those who object to the latest propsals, made last summer, to close the street from 10am to 4pm on weekdays.
The public consultations on the proposals produced several isues which Suffolk County Council has been unable to resolve.
The council's team leader for traffic management Suzanne Buck told business owners at a meeting this week that it was the first time in her career she had known a case where traffic regulation orders could not be settled without a public inquiry.
The inquiry will involve a team of inspectors visiting the town in September and spendinmg four to six weeks listening to objections and examining the plans in detail.
Their decision will be final, and will resolve an issue which has been debated for over 40 years.
The proposals for Queen Street will be considered along with those for High Street, but if the latter are thrown out, can be resubmitted by the council.
The High Street issue had remained unresolved because it was 'very emotive' business owners were told.
Main objectors have included the disabled lobby, who maintain it will make it very difficult for them to access the main shopping area.
The current 'shared space' system in the high street has been criticised by town councillors and residents as dangerous.
Haverhill Town Council has pressed Suffolk County Council to resolve the issue once and for all, and the county council had hoped to avoid a public inquiry because of the cost to council tax payers, but it has proved impossible.
The police are currently unable to enforce the limitations on traffic in the street because of loopholes in the regulations which mean any prosecutions would fail.
One of the reasons for bringing forward the proposals last year was to get some enforceable regulations in place.
The result is that the proposed traffic regulations will have to go to a costly public inquiry.
It has proved impossible to negotiate a settlement with those who object to the latest propsals, made last summer, to close the street from 10am to 4pm on weekdays.
The public consultations on the proposals produced several isues which Suffolk County Council has been unable to resolve.
The council's team leader for traffic management Suzanne Buck told business owners at a meeting this week that it was the first time in her career she had known a case where traffic regulation orders could not be settled without a public inquiry.
The inquiry will involve a team of inspectors visiting the town in September and spendinmg four to six weeks listening to objections and examining the plans in detail.
Their decision will be final, and will resolve an issue which has been debated for over 40 years.
The proposals for Queen Street will be considered along with those for High Street, but if the latter are thrown out, can be resubmitted by the council.
The High Street issue had remained unresolved because it was 'very emotive' business owners were told.
Main objectors have included the disabled lobby, who maintain it will make it very difficult for them to access the main shopping area.
The current 'shared space' system in the high street has been criticised by town councillors and residents as dangerous.
Haverhill Town Council has pressed Suffolk County Council to resolve the issue once and for all, and the county council had hoped to avoid a public inquiry because of the cost to council tax payers, but it has proved impossible.
The police are currently unable to enforce the limitations on traffic in the street because of loopholes in the regulations which mean any prosecutions would fail.
One of the reasons for bringing forward the proposals last year was to get some enforceable regulations in place.
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