Kingston Ancient Market Place Consultation

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• Kingston Ancient Market Place Consultation

On the 18 February this year motor traffic was removed from the southern end of the Market Place. Loading for businesses and Market traders was still allowed in the morning between 0600 and 1000 and in the afternoon between 1600 and 1800 Monday to Saturday. There is no access at all on Sunday. To offset the loss of parking for holders of Blue Disabled badges, new disabled bays were provided at either end of Bath Passage and by the Co-op Bank in High Street.

Approximately nine months have now passed, and I am seeking the views of all users of the Market Place to determine if you think the changes have improved or made matters worse. All of the views expressed will then be reported to the Kingston Town Neighbourhood Committee who will decide, at their meeting on Wednesday 10 December, whether the scheme should be made permanent or removed.

The plan shows the extent of the experimental road closure. The main purpose of the change was to remove the traffic that caused obstruction and hazard to pedestrians and cyclists and, by doing so, to free up the area to enable its use for other activities. This removal of traffic is the key first step toward a total refurbishment that will see the whole area repaved and refurnished with high quality materials that are appropriate to this key historic location. A bid to start these works has been submitted to Transport for London as part of the annual Local Implementation Plan. Because of the large area concerned these works will not be able to be all done at once but will staged over two or three years. This will minimise disruption and ensure that the market stalls and shops are not unduly inconvenienced.

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By removing traffic we believe we have:

• Improved the environment – making the market area a more pleasant place to visit to shop, to relax or just to pass through
• Created greater opportunities for utilising the open space for additional events at all times of the day including evenings and weekends whether they be commercial, arts, community events or social activities
• Improved the evening ambience by the removal of parked cars
• Created an enlarged pedestrianised area within the town centre that co-joins Castle Street, Clarence Street and Memorial Square via the Market Place to Charter Quay, Riverside and the Rose Theatre
• Created a safe vehicle free link between the Rail Station to the River Thames and Theatre
• Provided guaranteed access for emergency vehicles to properties surrounding the Market Place thereby improving safety and security

We know the loss of the disabled and loading facilities has caused problems for some people and have endeavoured to reduce these as much as possible by providing nearby alternative disabled parking bays and advising businesses of where legal loading may take place either in loading bays or on single and double yellow lines during times when the Market Place is closed. Whilst recognising the inconvenience caused to some we believe these are outweighed by the benefits listed above, but what do you think?

In order to have your voice heard please complete our questionnaire before 31 October 2008.

The results of the consultation will be reported to the Kingston Town Neighbourhood Committee on Wednesday 10 December 2008 at the Guildhall in the High Street. This is a public meeting which starts at 7.30pm which you are welcome to come along to. You can just listen to the debate or if you wish, you could contribute as well by talking to the committee to give them your views.

Should you require further information or clarification on any of the issues please do not hesitate to contact either Paul Drummond Neighbourhood Traffic Engineering Manager 020 8547 4690 or Younes Hamade Neighbourhood Traffic Engineer 020 8547 5922

We look forward to receiving your completed questionnaire in due course.