As Rushcliffe Borough Council and Nottinghamshire County Council continue to consider plans for changes on West Bridgford’s Central Avenue, the Central West Bridgford Community Association says that a Survey Monkey it carried out in 2020 is ‘often quoted, but without the required nuance.’
Rushcliffe Borough Council and Nottinghamshire County Council are set to review a feasibility study exploring how best to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists on Central Avenue in West Bridgford.
The study also explores opportunities to improve the appearance of the thoroughfare making it more attractive for visitors and shoppers, including new street art, a review of existing street furniture, cycle parking, signage and waste facilities and existing vehicle restrictions on the road.
A report to recommend improvements from the study is now to be analysed in more detail in the future and both authorities will explore funding opportunities to implement any plans and develop further consultation.
The authorities jointly commissioned the study last year to take into account the initial views of all affected users and stakeholders, including the local public, and this followed a desire among local businesses to create a pedestrian-based heart in the town centre.
It built on a survey completed by Central West Bridgford Community Association in 2020 that showed positive support for the ideas, but the association says that the survey, carried out during Covid restrictions has no bearing now on any decisions;
A spokesperson for the Central West Bridgford Community Association told The Wire:
‘While it is true that 72% ticked the ‘Yes’ box to indicate being in favour of pedestrianising Central Avenue, the full question was ‘Do you think Central Avenue should be pedestrianised, at least whilst physical distancing measures are in operation?’
‘This means that the result may not even be relevant now. And, of course, being an online survey, it excluded those who do not communicate online.
‘It did, however – at 706 replies – have an excellent response.
‘Even so, we need to look again. 147 people responded to the invitation to offer further comments and, when these replies were divided into their specific separate comments, the total submitted came to 181.
We attempted to analyse these as follows:
Pedestrianise the Avenue – 48
Pedestrianise but with Cyclists in designated lanes – 52
Pedestrianise but continue to allow Buses – 25
Pedestrianise whilst opening up a Footpath between Central Avenue and Bridgford Road – 11
Pedestrianise though allowing access to Blue Badge holders – 11
Pedestrianise though allowing Delivery vehicles at certain times – 7
Pedestrianise and “Green” Central Ave (e.g. more Trees, Planting, Seating, and pedestrianising Tudor Square) – 6
Pedestrianise at certain times (for instance, Sundays, Evenings, after 4pm) – 5
No change – 12
‘On the topic that has aroused most debate since – whether or not buses should continue to run on Central Avenue – we made no specific mention in the survey.
‘Those people who mentioned buses in their comments brought the subject up of their own accord.
’25 people making the point they were in favour of allowing buses on Central Avenue does NOT mean that everyone else was against. Therefore, on this topic our 2020 online survey cannot be considered to have any bearing.’
