Pedestrianisation of Stourbridge town centre

Pedestrianisation of Stourbridge Town Centre, it's been debated for years and has always aroused strong feelings. We believe it is so important to the prosperity of the town that we just had to raise the debate again - why? Because we love Stourbridge and want to see it prosper.

On the one hand, we get the impression that most shoppers favour pedestrianisation, on the other hand, some retailers are absolutely adamant that pedestrianisation will kill trade in the town, while others also favour pedestrianisation, so who's right? Could there be a compromise solution? For example how about paving the entire High Street, making the pavements much wider and giving far more priority to shoppers on foot, while still allowing vehicle access and some parking, possibly for the elderly and disabled?

Whatever the solution, it's a marketing fundamental that once you have established what the customer wants, you go out of your way to provide it, so let's find out what shoppers want, then its up to the retailers to provide it. Please send your views in to us and we will happily publish them. We are opposed to a simple voting mechanism because we believe it is more open to abuse, preferring instead for you to email your views.

YOUR VIEWS:

I live in the Old Quarter and walk through Stourbridge on my way to the station virtually daily. On the rare occasion I am able to walk freely in the road, like on Fair day, it is such a pleasure. There are always loads of people milling about, no matter what day of the week or time of day, I can't imagine where the retailers think we will go! I hope that the plans for the Tesco complex with the new parking structure will facilitate pedestrianisation. A town square would be good too, somewhere to sit and talk with a bit of greenery. Can't we learn lessons from the masses of towns who have done it without problem? A decision needs to be made. Why do the retailers seem to have the last word? Since when do we allow one section of a community to have so much power? It would be a much safer and more relaxed place to visit, lets get on with it!

Joanne Petter (Rec'd 9th Nov 09)
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I use Stourbidge because my circumstances favour scope to drive in, drop in near a chosen location and drive out. Would like to be able to potter from shop to shop finding and comparing products but age and mobility forbid. Merry Hill is on too large a scale. So far no alternative offers a sufficient range of products more conveniently grouped but neighbours already prefer Wollaston. The tipping point approaches as each closure occurs. Too easy to talk of pedestrianisation. When deliveries and emergency services have unimpeded access to premises then retailers may look on it more kindly. As far as parking is concerned a thought might be given to a People Mover service from Birmingham Street car park along Lower High Street and into the town - free with a parking ticket. While empty premises abound there is scope for planning. Stourbidge (even within its ring road) has no focus. Separate and relatively distant shopping centres have not been a success. A town square, grouped competition (as in traditional markets) and provision to nurture starter businesses all deserve consideration. Once there is a plan there is a target. No plan and we go round in circles.
Best wishes in your endeavours WB Jepson (11 Feb 09)
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I believe the pavements in Stourbridge are far too narrow. I am biased becaused I don't have a car but feel that most of Stourbridge should be pedestrianised. When walking from the town clock towards the bus station I usually walk in the road -it's safer and quicker. If a person walks on the left, where cars are allowed to park, car doors are opened and regularly block the very narrow path. If a person walks on the right the narrow pavement is always blocked in several places by delivery and security vans, and even the police the other day. I thought it was an offence to park on double yellow lines with two wheels on the pavement but apparently this is not the case in Stourbridge. I feel strongly that some consideration should be given to the disabled and elderly but you only have to look at Halesowen to see whether pedestrianisation works.

Yours sincerely Barbara J Sawyer (Rec'd 4th Feb 09)
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As a regular user and shopper in Stourbridge - I live in the Old Quarter and walk in to town most days for both business banking and purchases (we run a small business), personal shopping and to use facilities such as the Crystal Leisure Centre and the Library. I am continually amazed by the intransigence of local retailers to the idea of pedestrianisation. You often take your life in your hands when walking down the High Street, with all the parked cars -some on the pavements there is no where safe to cross or indeed enough space to be able to walk on the pavements. They say Stourbridge is quiet compared to what it used to be - well all I can say is how on earth did any one walk anywhere in Stourbridge if there were more people. Nobody I have ever spoken to is against a vehicle free High Street! So who are the retailers who are against pedestrianisation asking when they say customers don't want it!

I also agree with the recent letter in the Stourbridge News about the need for retailers to think about innovative ways to survive in the current climate. If they don't provide what customers want they will go elsewhere. I am now going up to Merry Hill more since the closure of Woolies and Adams as I can no longer buy branded toys or good quality children’s clothes in town - an opening for someone I am sure. Also I recently overheard two older residents saying they couldn't believe that Costa Coffee had opened in town as no-one was going to use itand it would close within weeks! Every time I go past it there are loads of customers young and old! Anyone who had tried to get a seat in Neros would have know another coffee shop was needed! There is a demand for this and I am sure for other retail outlets - RETAILERS YOU NEED TO SUPPLY WHAT THE CUSTOMERS WANT NOT DO WHAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS DONE OTHERWISE YOU WILL GET WHAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS GOT AND THE TOWN WILL NOT SURVIVE!

Nicki Spilman (Rec'd 30 Jan 09)
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There are two main reasons why I think parking in Stourbridge High Street is popular. One is elderly and disabled drivers who find it difficult to walk the distance from the multi-storey car parks. The other type of people are those who are only popping into town to pay a cheque into the bank or use the post office. These are only five minute jobs and people are reluctant to pay to park for a minimum of an hour for such a quick job. I can also see advantages to widening pavements, as tackling the High Street when I was steering a push chair was a challenge when the pavement was only just wider than the buggy. One option would be to close off High Street and allow traffic to get to Market Street from Lower High Street. Reducing the free parking in High Street would also be likely to increase the business for the wheel clampers in Talbot Street who charge £150 a time. Taking all factors into consideration, I think my preference would be to leave the High Street open from Monday to Friday when older people are more likely to go into town, and close it off at the weekend when more people are likely to be using the High Street. Jo (Rec'd 2 Dec08)


		*Pedestrianisation of Stourbridge Town Centre* *- The great debate*

Pedestrianisation of Stourbridge Town Centre, it's been debated for years and has always aroused strong feelings. We believe it is so important to the prosperity of the town that we just had to raise the debate again - why? Because we love Stourbridge and want to see it prosper. On the one hand, we get the impression that most shoppers favour pedestrianisation, on the other hand, some retailers are absolutely adamant that pedestrianisation will kill trade in the town, while others also favour pedestrianisation, so who's right? Could there be a compromise solution? For example how about paving the entire High Street, making the pavements much wider and giving far more priority to shoppers on foot, while still allowing vehicle access and some parking, possibly for the elderly and disabled? Whatever the solution, it's a marketing fundamental that once you have established what the customer wants, you go out of your way to provide it, so let's find out what shoppers want, then its up to the retailers to provide it. Please send your views in to us and we will happily publish them. We are opposed to a simple voting mechanism because we believe it is more open to abuse, preferring instead for you to email your views. YOUR VIEWS: I live in the Old Quarter and walk through Stourbridge on my way to the station virtually daily. On the rare occasion I am able to walk freely in the road, like on Fair day, it is such a pleasure. There are always loads of people milling about, no matter what day of the week or time of day, I can't imagine where the retailers think we will go! I hope that the plans for the Tesco complex with the new parking structure will facilitate pedestrianisation. A town square would be good too, somewhere to sit and talk with a bit of greenery. Can't we learn lessons from the masses of towns who have done it without problem? A decision needs to be made. Why do the retailers seem to have the last word? Since when do we allow one section of a community to have so much power? It would be a much safer and more relaxed place to visit, lets get on with it! Joanne Petter (Rec'd 9th Nov 09) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I use Stourbidge because my circumstances favour scope to drive in, drop in near a chosen location and drive out. Would like to be able to potter from shop to shop finding and comparing products but age and mobility forbid. Merry Hill is on too large a scale. So far no alternative offers a sufficient range of products more conveniently grouped but neighbours already prefer Wollaston. The tipping point approaches as each closure occurs. Too easy to talk of pedestrianisation. When deliveries and emergency services have unimpeded access to premises then retailers may look on it more kindly. As far as parking is concerned a thought might be given to a People Mover service from Birmingham Street car park along Lower High Street and into the town - free with a parking ticket. While empty premises abound there is scope for planning. Stourbidge (even within its ring road) has no focus. Separate and relatively distant shopping centres have not been a success. A town square, grouped competition (as in traditional markets) and provision to nurture starter businesses all deserve consideration. Once there is a plan there is a target. No plan and we go round in circles. Best wishes in your endeavours WB Jepson (11 Feb 09) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I believe the pavements in Stourbridge are far too narrow. I am biased becaused I don't have a car but feel that most of Stourbridge should be pedestrianised. When walking from the town clock towards the bus station I usually walk in the road -it's safer and quicker. If a person walks on the left, where cars are allowed to park, car doors are opened and regularly block the very narrow path. If a person walks on the right the narrow pavement is always blocked in several places by delivery and security vans, and even the police the other day. I thought it was an offence to park on double yellow lines with two wheels on the pavement but apparently this is not the case in Stourbridge. I feel strongly that some consideration should be given to the disabled and elderly but you only have to look at Halesowen to see whether pedestrianisation works. Yours sincerely Barbara J Sawyer (Rec'd 4th Feb 09) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As a regular user and shopper in Stourbridge - I live in the Old Quarter and walk in to town most days for both business banking and purchases (we run a small business), personal shopping and to use facilities such as the Crystal Leisure Centre and the Library. I am continually amazed by the intransigence of local retailers to the idea of pedestrianisation. You often take your life in your hands when walking down the High Street, with all the parked cars -some on the pavements there is no where safe to cross or indeed enough space to be able to walk on the pavements. They say Stourbridge is quiet compared to what it used to be - well all I can say is how on earth did any one walk anywhere in Stourbridge if there were more people. Nobody I have ever spoken to is against a vehicle free High Street! So who are the retailers who are against pedestrianisation asking when they say customers don't want it! I also agree with the recent letter in the Stourbridge News about the need for retailers to think about innovative ways to survive in the current climate. If they don't provide what customers want they will go elsewhere. I am now going up to Merry Hill more since the closure of Woolies and Adams as I can no longer buy branded toys or good quality children’s clothes in town - an opening for someone I am sure. Also I recently overheard two older residents saying they couldn't believe that Costa Coffee had opened in town as no-one was going to use itand it would close within weeks! Every time I go past it there are loads of customers young and old! Anyone who had tried to get a seat in Neros would have know another coffee shop was needed! There is a demand for this and I am sure for other retail outlets - RETAILERS YOU NEED TO SUPPLY WHAT THE CUSTOMERS WANT NOT DO WHAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS DONE OTHERWISE YOU WILL GET WHAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS GOT AND THE TOWN WILL NOT SURVIVE! Nicki Spilman (Rec'd 30 Jan 09) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are two main reasons why I think parking in Stourbridge High Street is popular. One is elderly and disabled drivers who find it difficult to walk the distance from the multi-storey car parks. The other type of people are those who are only popping into town to pay a cheque into the bank or use the post office. These are only five minute jobs and people are reluctant to pay to park for a minimum of an hour for such a quick job. I can also see advantages to widening pavements, as tackling the High Street when I was steering a push chair was a challenge when the pavement was only just wider than the buggy. One option would be to close off High Street and allow traffic to get to Market Street from Lower High Street. Reducing the free parking in High Street would also be likely to increase the business for the wheel clampers in Talbot Street who charge £150 a time. Taking all factors into consideration, I think my preference would be to leave the High Street open from Monday to Friday when older people are more likely to go into town, and close it off at the weekend when more people are likely to be using the High Street. Jo (Rec'd 2 Dec08) Welcome \| About Stourbridge \| Stourbridge Glass \| Stourbridge Tour \| Can you help? \| What's on in Stourbridge Stourbridge Lion \| Stourbridge Music \| Sport \| Long Lost Friends \| Clubs & Charities \| Stourbridge Genealogy Stourbridge Area \| Stourbridge Business \| Links \| Home \| Contact Stourbridge

Pedestrianisation of Stourbridge Town Centre - The great debate