Like little flags they emerged, wafting gently in the breeze, as if to cheer on some imaginary leader like you'd see parading through Peking. Four sheets of paper each there were, two in Welsh and two in English, each set attached to numerous posts & columns all over town. Waiting restriction and one-way proposals they advertised that, between them, will change the face of Rhuthun/Ruthin town centre roads forever.
Should you have any views, you have till 21st October 2011 to voice them. If you decide it's worth objecting, I confess I have no idea what happens next.
The one-way system is the most far reaching. The only Denbighshire town to have proportionately any larger length of one-way highway is Y Rhyl. True, Prestatyn has its one-way High Street. Llangollen has recently added Parade Street & East Street to existing one-way Bridge Street, Chapel Street and Oak Street. But these two towns will now pail against Rhuthun's new traffic system. In Rhuthun, one way traffic will operate:
But that's not the point. For the one way system is proposed more to improve the availability of on-street parking than to quell any traffic disorder. It has to be said, though, that the one way restrictions *will* stem unnecessary through traffic in town, at least in the Clwyd Street to Square to Well Street direction. And, the one way system will cure visibility issues & the conflict between Well Street and Market Street traffic trying to enter the Square roundabout.
It is indeed on street parking where most of the thought has gone. The amount is set to increase. Currently, you must not park along the perimeter of St Peter's Square. Of course, motorists take absolutely no notice of this restriction whatsoever. May be the council has recognised this by adopting a number of measures:
Making Market Street one way adds the opportunity of more on street parking, on much of the town hall side. It would also appear that one side of Upper Clwyd Street, one side of the upper part of Clwyd Street itself and much of Castle Street will be open for parking other than between 8 & 9.30 a.m. and 3 & 5.30 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays. All this is new, save for Upper Clwyd Street, where it's slightly more restrictive in terms of time bands. There will in future be an opportunity to park on one side of that part of Well Street between the National Westminster bank and Boot's the Chemist, an area where people tend to park in spite of not being able to.
Town centre traders should welcome most of these changes, for they have asked continually for parity between the town and free parking at Tesco. Now that parking in Rhuthun is so cheap (50p for four hours), can traders argue on this issue? Surely, it's no longer a dilemma for them. After all, there is usually ample off-street space, even during yesterday's heritage Open Doors event.
For better or worse, the town council has been unable to get its Market Town of the Future proposals to calm traffic & alter the Square. This included "giving the Square back to the people", not cars. It was the proposal with the highest support. Is this a missed opportunity for them or was it really only idealism on the part of the former mayor anyway?
E&OE
Should you have any views, you have till 21st October 2011 to voice them. If you decide it's worth objecting, I confess I have no idea what happens next.The one-way system is the most far reaching. The only Denbighshire town to have proportionately any larger length of one-way highway is Y Rhyl. True, Prestatyn has its one-way High Street. Llangollen has recently added Parade Street & East Street to existing one-way Bridge Street, Chapel Street and Oak Street. But these two towns will now pail against Rhuthun's new traffic system. In Rhuthun, one way traffic will operate:
- North eastwards down Market Street, from the Square as far as Wynnstay Road
- Southwards along the entire length of Wynnstay Road, from county hall to the Wynnstay pub
- Westwards up Well Street, from Record Street to the Square
- Southwards up Prior Street, from School Road/St John's to the Square
- Westwards down Upper Clwyd Street, from the Square to Clwyd Street
- North eastwards along Dog Lane, from Corwen Road to the car park only
- Westwards along Wernfechan, from Rhos Street to Anchor Corner with, interestingly, Rhuthun's first street cycle lane that will run in the opposite direction to traffic.
But that's not the point. For the one way system is proposed more to improve the availability of on-street parking than to quell any traffic disorder. It has to be said, though, that the one way restrictions *will* stem unnecessary through traffic in town, at least in the Clwyd Street to Square to Well Street direction. And, the one way system will cure visibility issues & the conflict between Well Street and Market Street traffic trying to enter the Square roundabout.It is indeed on street parking where most of the thought has gone. The amount is set to increase. Currently, you must not park along the perimeter of St Peter's Square. Of course, motorists take absolutely no notice of this restriction whatsoever. May be the council has recognised this by adopting a number of measures:
- Rhuthun's first taxi rank, outside the Post Office.
- Provision, for the first time, for a dedicated loading bay, outside Wetherspoon's (no doubt to be ignored by motorist) (plus one adjacent to the Village Bakery on Well Street; and one on Clwyd Street in the lay by near Gareth Lynch)
- Rhuthun's first on-street disabled parking area (no doubt to be ignored by motorists)
Making Market Street one way adds the opportunity of more on street parking, on much of the town hall side. It would also appear that one side of Upper Clwyd Street, one side of the upper part of Clwyd Street itself and much of Castle Street will be open for parking other than between 8 & 9.30 a.m. and 3 & 5.30 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays. All this is new, save for Upper Clwyd Street, where it's slightly more restrictive in terms of time bands. There will in future be an opportunity to park on one side of that part of Well Street between the National Westminster bank and Boot's the Chemist, an area where people tend to park in spite of not being able to.Town centre traders should welcome most of these changes, for they have asked continually for parity between the town and free parking at Tesco. Now that parking in Rhuthun is so cheap (50p for four hours), can traders argue on this issue? Surely, it's no longer a dilemma for them. After all, there is usually ample off-street space, even during yesterday's heritage Open Doors event.
For better or worse, the town council has been unable to get its Market Town of the Future proposals to calm traffic & alter the Square. This included "giving the Square back to the people", not cars. It was the proposal with the highest support. Is this a missed opportunity for them or was it really only idealism on the part of the former mayor anyway?
E&OE