Dear Widcombe Association Member
Subway Artwork
Regular readers will know that WA and Bear Flat Residents‘ Association are jointly seeking artwork in the refurbished subway by the Churchill Roundabout. We have been displaying a shortlist of 7 concepts (from a total of 26) submitted by local artists. In all 454 people submitted their views (including many school children and students) for which sincere thanks, and thanks also to the venues that held displays. Informed by this exercise we have a preferred artist and concept. As a courtesy, each artist will now be contacted individually to let them know the outcome before we reveal the chosen scheme and data on the public consultation. Watch this space!
Dorchester Street Pedestrian Crossings
Works are due to start on 22 July to modify the signalised pedestrian crossings in Dorchester Street, introducing countdown signals. Also the Council is to modify the crossings in front of the South Gate car park entry/exit and that outside the Forum. Paul Garrod (Traffic Management & Network Manager) has written:
“Whilst undertaking a review of traffic movements in Dorchester Street last year we looked at how the crossings were being used and also analysed accident data, where there have been several injury accidents involving pedestrians. We have identified that moving the red and green man signal to the far side of the crossing with the addition of the countdown will make the crossing points more conspicuous and give people more confidence in using them.
How Pedestrian Countdown works
The current red and green man signals are displayed on the nearside, the side of the road where you cross from. The new signals will be on the opposite side (far side) and placed higher. With far side signals, after the green man goes out there’s usually a ‘blackout’ stage where neither the red or green man are shown. It doesn’t immediately go from green to red man because that could confuse people already crossing, hence the blackout stage. The countdown timer will display during the blackout period to show how long is left until the red man next appears. You may have seen Pedestrian Countdown in London, where it’s been used extensively. They’ve also been used on a small scale in a handful of other cities across the UK. The following image from Manchester shows what they will look like:
https://images . app . goo . gl/u5Rf32ZKnrTPNLQ66
The crossings in Dorchester Street are among the busiest in B&NES and are often very crowded. The higher level pedestrian signals with countdown will be easier to see in crowded conditions. We’re undertaking ‘before’ and ‘after’ surveys to monitor how the crossings are used. This will help us to determine if we should consider use of Pedestrian Countdown at other specific crossings in future, although there are no specific plans to do so at the moment.”
Planning Enforcement Appeal Turned Down
You may be interested to read the attached decision by a Planning Inspector with regard to the use of 3 Greenway Lane.
Events
Widcombe Wobblers Cycle: Challenge Ride Sunday 21 July at 10 am.
Widcombe Wayfarers Walking Wednesdays: 14 August at 10 am
Vintage Routemaster Garden Tour: Thursday 15 August
Full details and tickets for the Garden Tour:
http ://www . widcombeassociation . org . uk/events/
Widcombe Parade Enhancements
We continue to progress landscaping the small area of greenery at the western end of the Parade. WA is also to acqure the red telephone box outside the White Hart, which we will plant up, and, working closely with traders, we have plans for more planting and greenery along the Parade where space permits.
Alan Langton
Widcombe Association Secretary