Traffic Restriction Order
The Chairman updated the Forum providing some
background information on the Traffic Restriction Order (TRO)
- The previous Spalding Town Forum
Chairman had started the discussion involving cars parking in the
town centre.
- The current Chairman along with
Councillor Elizabeth Sneath continued to lead on the said
issue.
- A public consultation had now been
completed and the outcome was that the public wanted the town
centre closed to cars during the times of 10am - 4pm, seven days a
week.
The Chairman informed the Forum that the TRO
was with Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) to be rewritten to make
it clearer and easier to enforce.
- Additional disabled parking would be
implemented on the edges of the core of the Town Centre.
- The next stage would be to consult
with town centre businesses, to ensure their deliveries could be
maintained. LCC would be liaising with the local businesses, once
this consultation was completed the TRO would be signed off.
- The town centre would then be closed
off to cars entering the town centre during the restricted period
of 10am – 4pm, Monday to Sunday.
The Chairman suggested collaborating with the
Chain Bridge Forge, to produce a bespoke gate for the entrance to
the town centre.
The Chairman showed a selection of slides with
several ideas of how the proposed gate would look and asked the
Forum for any feedback and questions.
- The gate would be connected to the
posts that were outside Prezzo.
- A bi-fold gate was being considered,
which would fold in the middle and back out towards Prezzo where it
would be secured to a new post.
- Three options were presented to the
Forum, showing a variety of decorative designs.
Members raised the following points:
- The tulip design was an apt design,
but the issue was raised that the gate should be functional in the
first instance and vandal proof.
- The Chairman responded that the gate
would be the entrance to our town centre, the design would need to
be practical and functional, as well as an attractive feature.
- How would the gate be opened and
closed at the start and end of the day? Who would be responsible
for this?
- The logistics had not been
confirmed, but the Forum would be updated at a future meeting.
- When the new post for the gate was
erected, would there be enough room for prams and mobility scooters
to access the town centre on the pavement?
- The pavement was wide enough to
accommodate the above.
- Members raised concerns about the
gate becoming damaged by motorists, could the CCTV be positioned to
capture any vandalism.
- It was suggested having a “monitored by CCTV” sign on
the gate to deter vandals.
- It was suggested that some traffic
cones be placed in front of the gate to
alert motorists that there was no through road.
- Initially some drivers may be
disgruntled but would soon become used to the new arrangement.
- It was noted that many of the cars
parked were not necessarily shoppers’ cars but perhaps public
parking to go to work or catching a train.
- Would drivers be able to access the
town centre from the opposite direction.
- If any vehicle was to enter the town
from the opposite direction, they would be breaking the law and the
highway code, which would be dealt with by the Police.
- Had the safety aspect and risk
assessment been considered for the proposed gate.
- The Chairman would liaise with the
Chain Bridge Forge to design the gate to be child friendly, without
sharp edges. As with all council property it would be covered
by indemnity insurance should anyone be
injured.
The Chairman mentioned that LCC had visited
the town centre to review the current signage, and would be
investing in bigger, clearer No Entry signs and No Entry road
markings.
The Chairman concluded that all points would
be considered and taken on board.
Grammar School students - update
The Chairman noted that they would like to
invite the Grammar School students back to the Spalding Town Forum
so members could update the students on developments since their
presentation to the Forum on 27 March 2024.
- The Chairman put the idea forward to
the Forum that he would like to set up a Youth Council,
which could be a member of the Town
Board This would enable the students to
express and present their ideas and be a part of the
decision-making process.
- The Chairman asked for the setting
up of a Youth Council to be added as an agenda item for the next meeting.
- The Chairman informed the Forum that
since the students’ presentation an open cinema event had
been organised in conjunction with Spalding Round Table and the
Chairman of SHDC.
St George’s Day celebrations
Councillor James Le Sage mentioned that he had
been approached by some local residents to enquire if the Town
Centre could do more to celebrate St George’s Day.
- The Chairman responded that he would
be happy to discuss celebrating St George Day for 2025.
Planters in Spalding town centre
Councillor James Le Sage enquired when the new
planters would be installed in the Town Centre and requested that
an update be provided by the
Portfolio Holder for Community Development at the next Spalding
Town Forum meeting.
CCTV data update
Councillor I Sheard requested that a CCTV data
update be
added as an agenda item for the next
meeting. Councillor Sheard added;
- Graffiti was an ever-increasing
blight on the town.
- Could the CCTV be viewed and to
enable those responsible for the graffiti to be identified and
held accountable.
- What Benefits was the current CCTV
providing.
The Chairman responded he would request a data
update from the Portfolio Holder for Community Development.
Summer Fair in memory of the late Councillor
Angela Newton
Christine Lawton from the Johnson Hospital
League of Friends informed the Forum of a Summer Fair event, in
memory of the late Councillor Angela Newton, at the Johnson
Hospital on 13 July 2024 at 2pm.