So we’re told by the Council Leadership that a new initiative “Reinvigorate York” will focus on three key areas which aim to improve traffic and pedestrian flow, improve the “tourist, retail and cultural experience of visitors” and to rid the centre of unnecessary clutter such as some bollards and signs.
It’s really a rebranding of the “York Pride” initiative of 2003 which was aimed at cleaning up a City where public service standards had slipped.
The “removal of clutter” part of the scheme at least, is apparently being backed by Ron Cooke from the Civic Trust. Ron has made progress gradually with his campaign to declutter City centre streets. For example, intrusive signs near the Minster in Petergate were replaced by low level units. The same has happened at a dozen other City centre locations over the last 2 years……… and there are relatively inexpensive changes which could be made to ageing signs in Blake Street and Davygate
However there is a paradox to be addressed. If the Council is to remove street clutter like cycle stands then it risks losing the battle to encourage people to walk and cycle into the City centre. The alternative would be more traffic (or economic decline). Ambitious plans to provide covered and secure cycle parking facilities – at one time the redundant tunnel under the Coppergate centre was mooted as a possibility – are currently stalled because of high costs.
Unobtrusive – but still secure – cycle parking locations are difficult to find, but are essential if cyclists are not to hijack the nearest lamppost, seat or set of railings.
Similarly, City centre traffic lights may frustrate some and may “ruin” the odd photograph. But would anyone want to risk pedestrian safety by removing them altogether? Pedestrian casualties remain a source of concern – as we have seen recently – in the City centre.
….& it’s hardly surprising if, at the end of a busy summer season, some public street furniture is showing signs of wear and tear. That is why – as happens every year – there is money in the Councils budget for repair and maintenance.
If substantial investment in renewing the streetscape is to be made then the money won’t come from existing budgets. Apart from the Deangate Piazza scheme, there is no other major City centre funding commitment included in the Councils 4 year capital programme. The Council has also recently committed more of its future resources to funding additional park and ride sites, putting still more pressure on limited capital investment resources.
The omens for political support are not good. Last year the local Labour leadership vigorously opposed the plans which led to the paving of Library Square – just the type of initiative that is needed to raise standards in the “public realm”.
It is also disingenuous to suggest that the Council is waiting for “government grant” decisions before announcing specific additional improvement schemes. The governments funding commitments to Local Authorities, for the economic recovery period, have been known for the last 12 months.
The truth is that any investment will have to come principally from the private sector (who will want something in return), with heritage conservation schemes possibly in line for some National Lottery funding.
The sooner that a City Centre Action Plan is agreed, through the Local Development Plan process, the sooner sensible expenditure priorities can be decided.