Falmouth Civic Society has given its full backing to controversial proposals to move the rising bollard in the town centre to the entrance Market Street.
At its meeting last Wednesday (September 20), Falmouth Civic Society’s committee firmly supported the two town centre gateway proposals to move the rising bollard and to improve the entrance to Market Street with better signage and features.
There have been strong objections from the public about the pedestrianisation of the town centre and the loss of Church Street car park, which some people say will kill business in the town centre.
The society says the present position is that between 11am and 4pm it is illegal to drive into the main streets unless, like the shuttle bus, you have a permit to do so.
During those times, Market Street, Church Street, Arwenack Street, and the High Street, are Pedestrian Zones.
The rising bollard will be moved to the entrance of Market Street (Image: Newsquest)
The proposed bollard move and entrance improvements make no change whatsoever to the legal restrictions on traffic in the pedestrian areas. This will remain exactly the same.
The consultation makes it clear that up to now, the enforcement of the restrictions in place is not effective. Poor signage at the entrance, and no bollard in sight, means that some may mistakenly drive through.
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Some, knowing the lax enforcement, and that the existing bollard can be by-passed by driving through the car park, will also drive through the pedestrian zone.
“The bollard move is purely to ensure the law is upheld, preventing visiting drivers making mistakes, and not allowing the abuse that happens now with the bollard in its current position,” said the society in a statement.
A computer generated image showing the bollard in position with new signage at the entrance to Market Street (Image: Cormac/Cornwall Council)
“Upholding and making the 11am – 4pm pedestrianisation effective, we believe is the responsible thing to do.
Falmouth Civic Society, therefore, recommends that the proposals be supported, and urges a positive response to the consultation.”
A public consultation into the proposals is currently being held with a deadline of October 5.
The link to the consultation can be found here, where you can then click on ‘register’ or ‘login’ to participate.
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