Public Meeting at Thorntons
on 29 October 2009

Mark Armstrong

The meeting was mainly dedicated to Mark Armstrong who gave a presentation on the proposed development of the town centre if the Inner Bypass gets the go-ahead.

The main areas ear-marked for development are:

Top end of High Street

This part of the High Street between the market place and Watnall Road is proposed to be pedestrianised. This can be done as traffic will be following the new inner bypass whcih runs parallel with the High Street. Alongside this area it is proposed to completely revamp the area of the Piggin's Croft car par right through to the store currently occupied by B&M Bargains and a few of the shops on the High Street including the Post Office. It would also include several buildings on South Street.

Although not finally agreed, the proposals include a new supermarket, flats, a health centre and a raised level new car park above the supermarket.

Route from Tram Terminus to High Street

It was proposed to open up Baths Lane and provide a foot-bridge over the island nearby so that people leaving the tram have a safe and clear path through to the bottom end of the High Street near the Byron Bingo Hall.

Main Thoughts

The main points to come out of the meeting were:

Concern was raised that the bottom end of the High Street between Watnall Road and the Byron Bingo Hall was not ear-marked for any development.
There is a risk associated with pedestrianising shopping areas in that they could become empty if there are not enough attractions in the area.
The inner bypass already cuts out some existing car parks and the work on Piggins Croft would make that car park unavailable during development.