The case for and against Malton pedestrianisation

Hi Howard

Could you please let me know your views on each of the following point relating to your suggestion of closing Saville Street to vehicles.

1. What is your reason for bring forward this idea?
2. What do you see as the benefits?
3. Who do you see as the beneficiaries?
4. What difficulties do you anticipate that this might create?
5. Who would this proposal dis-advantage and in what ways?
6. How could these dis-advantages be overcome?

Regards
Denys
Business In Action Chairman

Hi Denys

I have promoted the idea of pedestrianisation for the Market Place for 20 years and been pleased to see public support for the idea steadily grow.

What distinguishes Malton from out of town centres is the character of its shops and the quality of its built environment.

We have the opportunity to create a vastly more attractive public space with high quality hard landscaping, better street furniture and much less tarmac!

The broad benefits are those of any pedestrianised space - a more pleasant shopping environment which is relaxed, greener, comfortable and a pleasure to experience.

Schemes across the country have been vindicated time after time, including early adopters like Lincoln, as well as smaller towns such as Beverley.

Public consultations in Malton have repeatedly shown a clear mandate for - and majority in favour of - pedestrianisation. The most recent was during the continental market.

A modest start would be to make the top of the Market Place area traffic free but ideally the sea of tarmac around St Michael's should go as well.

Quality new surfacing in York stone or an equivalent high grade material is needed to give the church the setting it deserves and create public open space worthy of the name.

We could green up the centre and time still retain car parking and vehicle access to the area outside the Palace Cinema and Milton Rooms.

A good high quality pedestrian scheme in Saville Street would make it more attractive to walk down, replacing narrow and poor paths.

It would be a major benefit to remove the clash of traffic going up it straight into crowds of pedestrians on market days.

A more inviting environment for shoppers would result in the likelihood of increased footfall for traders and more custom.

It would help further if more short stay parking was made available at nearby Water Lane by moving long stay parking to Wentworth Street.

There are no difficulties which could not be easily overcome. There are many opportunities.

Kind regards
Councillor Mr Howard Keal

Hi Howard

Whilst I cannot agree with your views on total pedestrianisation, I do think for all practical areas there should be a total paving solution with no defined footpaths or roads, only drainage ramping, with no lines or signs. This idea would allow for a slow considered introduction of traffic free areas (or not as the case may be) using portable barriers initially, without unleashing the furore of ill-judged objectors of either view. Raised flower beds could be introduced as the case for usage was assured. The scheme could be carried out without the need for concept designs, and consultation only survey, costings and installation.

This would free up the time to concentrate on true danger points such as the need for another pedestrian crossing in Yorkersgate.

My view is that pedestrianisation need not mean 'no access' businesses should still be serviced.

Best Regards
Malcolm

PS Being very close to Harrison and Hargreaves I do see people public and trades carry materials into vehicles although often hindered by car parked outside the shop.