'Everyone can gain from pedestrianisation' (From Gazette & Herald)

'Everyone can gain from pedestrianisation'

Here, HOWARD KEAL gives a personal view in answer to critics of the call to

pedestrianise Malton's Market Place. As well as being a Ryedale district councillor, he is chairman of the council's planning committee.

OBJECTIONS are being raised against a bid to turn Malton into a more attractive and pleasant place to shop.

Voices of opposition have attacked the idea of making the Market Place a traffic-free place for people to enjoy.

Happily, there are answers to the critics worried about the town being dragged into the 21st century.

Among the howls of anguish is the worry that motorists will be unable to park directly outside a shop of their choice.

This is where one key part of the plan - which failed to get a mention in a previous piece - comes into play.

A large-scale plan to pedestrianise the Market Place would involve moving the cattle market.

That opens up a large area for parking so that walking to the shops would take all of 30 seconds.

There is no reason to believe that people are so wedded to their wheels that this would prove a step too far.

And when there is a part pedestrian area on a Saturday, shops are at their busiest.

In other words, the idea that trade slumps when people have to actually walk a few paces doesn't stand up.

Switching the cattle market from its current home to Wentworth Street or to another site would be a loss.

It is a part of the town's heritage but we can hold onto that and gain so much more by moving it.

The cattle market operates for two days a week, leaving a massive area in the centre of town redundant for the other five.

It is also partly housed in ugly buildings that would benefit from being replaced by attractive homes or other development.

There is an opportunity for everyone to gain here, the traders, residents, shoppers - even farmers.

It would also be possible to retain parking outside the Milton Rooms with a new two-way access.

And access to the centre could be maintained for people with disabilities and for deliveries.

We would be able to landscape the tarmac wasteland around the church and have a public open space worthy of the name.

As happened during the motor show, there would be the chance to promote a pavement caf culture and vibrant centre.

That can be contrasted with what we have now, a traffic-choked heart that's little more than a glorified car park.

Let the out-of-town shopping centres offer traffic hell - we can and should do better.

There's no need for motorists to waste petrol, time and money, a more attractive space and place is right here.

It is time to take a long view and stop selling the town short.

There are successful examples of the streets being given back to shoppers at towns like Beverley, as well as in cities.

Traders in York fought traffic-free access and before that there was opposition where it was pioneered in places like Lincoln.

Seas of shoppers now flow through those centres in the place of torrents of cars.

Instead of people spilling into the path of vehicles - as at the top of Saville Street on Saturdays - they are free to walk and talk.

As a longer term goal, the ideal would be to make Wheelgate traffic-free.

That depends on improving access to the A64 to reduce through traffic and also take heavy lorries out of town.

And don't say it can't be done. The Malton Motor Show showed it is possible and can work.

While we are at it, let's make it easier to walk or cycle into town leaving more space for people who have to drive.

It doesn't have to cost the earth - but failing to do something just might.

Updated: 11:20 Wednesday, January 04, 2006