Pickering market place could be roofed over (From Gazette & Herald)

Pickering market place could be roofed over

COVERING over the market place is one of a number of imaginative projects for Pickering contained in a report by the Town Team.

The Market Place should be closed to traffic from 10am to 4pm to encourage more visitors to the area.

"On a grander scale, we might even consider covering the whole Market Place, to create a mall out of the current shops."

A covered way through to Hungate from the Market Place, to extend the central shopping area, should also be pursued, it says. Improving the weekly market with a farmer's market, organic food and more stalls would increase interest in Pickering as a shopping centre.

Town Team leader Debbie Aubrook said the idea of a covered mall over the Market Place was, in reality, a long-term one, but she thought the scheme to cover the route alongside the Boots store to the farmers market area was achievable in the short-term.

"It would create a Shambles-type atmosphere but under cover," she said. "What we are trying to do is to promote ideas which will give Pickering a distinctive advantage over other towns and so enhance its role as a shopping town, which will in turn improve the economy."

The recently-established Town Team has a catalogue of schemes aiming to make Pickering one of the most idyllic places in which to live, work and play. Ms Aubrook said the "Vision for Pickering" document was now being compared against the results of a questionnaire carried out recently, which attracted a 34pc response from residents.

The vision, which has 70 ideas, says less emphasis on town centre parking would improve the visual appeal of Pickering and enhance the appreciation of its architecture. It also calls for street furniture and paved areas to be improved with more trees, shrubs and paving stones. "Tarmac does little to enhance the streetscape scene," it says.

Cafes, pubs and restaurants should be encouraged to spill out into the street to create interest and a lively atmosphere says the report.

It also focuses on the flooding problems of Pickering, suggesting that Pickering Beck could be diverted and potential flood waters could be directed into the Newbridge quarry. This, says the Vision team, could restrain the volume of water suddenly converging on Pickering.

"The quarry may only have a couple of years to run before it closes, and the owners would have a duty to return it some environmentally acceptable state." A large lake could be created as a result.

"There would be immense opportunities for tourism and wildlife. Diving, fish production and canoeing could all happily co-exist. Lakeside holiday cottages may be an interesting possibility, and all would increase employment."

Ms Aubrook added: "Our aim is to use the public as a sounding board. We have already had some encouraging positive reaction to the suggestion of creating a bio-diversity wetland area, especially from bird watchers who believe it would be extremely popular."

The consultants working with the Town Team had been due to finish their contract this week, but it has now been extended until September, said Ms Aubrook. They are going to help the team stage a big exhibition in September which will feature the potential projects, and in particular the ideas for the coalyard area, through the production of a design brief.

Action to speed floodwater through Pickering by dredging, clearing obstructions or lowering the weir at the mills should also be explored. "We would not wish to give anyone else our flooding problem, so we suggest absorbing the water by tree planting for planned biomass, and creation of wetlands to the south of Pickering."

The Town Team suggests that the traffic lights at The Ropery should be replaced by a roundabout. It says land at the western end of Middleton Road should be purchased to create a drop-off point for schoolchildren who could then walk to schools.

Part of the coalyard-island site development should be a large, free park-and-ride for motorists. It also calls for parking to be stopped in Westgate, which narrows the road, and reduces the attractive character of that part of Pickering.

"On a grander scale, we would wish to look into the prospects of the railway coming into Pickering's centre, and also a southern bypass."

The development of a community park on the old nursery in Whitby Road is suggested.

Provision of sports facilities for everyone from toddlers to pensioners and a skateboard park, should also be priorities.

Indoor and outdoor skating and bike jumps, basketball, archery and an indoor rock-climbing wall, could be on the drawing board in the vision, says the report.

Affordable housing and workshop spaces should be developed as part of a driving force for economic and social development. On social isolation, the report says: "We should explore a 'Rent-a-Granny' scheme whereby young people adopt or are adopted by older residents. There are small areas of risk, but potential for large benefits and increased mutual understanding."

In addition, a "Friends" scheme could be developed to support people who are ill or going through difficulties.

The Pickering 2020 Group, which is being set up as a result of the Market Town Initiative, is due to be launched in the next few weeks, said Debbie Aubrook.

"In our vision for Pickering, we looked at the areas for development that would enhance the already attractive appearance of the town," she said.

Improved services for residents and visitors are being highlighted. "We felt that we should be bold and innovative, but respectful of the present built environment. We looked to provide facilities for all age ranges and for joint usage. We were anxious to encourage environmental and economic sustainability and to make use of the surrounding countryside."

Updated: 10:50 Wednesday, June 30, 2004