What does Rhuthun/Ruthin have in its favour? We're not a "clone town". We don't rely on the fickle nature of corporate traders. We're an attractive town. In spite of macro-economic threats, we still have a diverse locally-based economy.
In order for us to be more robust, the Masterplan 2 identifies three key themes for Rhuthun/Ruthin:
What lies at the heart of all three? St Peter's Square.
A Suitable Square at the Heart of a More Vibrant Town
The Square is the key. Currently, it's a mass of vehicles, both moving and parked. We've already mentioned the importance of part-pedestrianisation of the Square. Full pedestrianisation would be great but it ignores disabled motorists and business needs. As part of the original 2011 Masterplan, the county council commissioned work to look at the "channelling" of motor vehicles across the Square. This would remove the roundabout but to do conventional wisdom suggested a one-way system along upper Well Street, upper Market Street and Wynnstay Road.
Yet, this increases traffic speed and street sign clutter.
Since then, the concept of so-called "shared space" has come to the fore. Witness Chester railway station and Frodsham Street. Here would be a space that is less well defined for road users. Gone are markings, channels, kerbing, road signs and it creates uncertainty for drivers, whereupon they slow right down. We therefore no longer need to settle for second best. It's about changing driver behaviour. We can have a Square that doesn't come with the disadvantages of a one-way system and we can have a Square that vastly improves the lot of pedestrians—who live, play and shop here. After all, the focus of the town is for the transaction of business, not the movement or parking of cars.
Once you've tackled the Square, so our other streets become "calmer". Indeed, there's no real reason why "shared space" cannot exist on the upper parts of Well and Clwyd Streets. This lends itself to an environment in which people are more likely to live. People who live in the town centre add to its vibrancy and economy. The current traffic speeds and associated noise militate against more town centre residences. As the town itself shrinks (as is inevitable, with or without Masterplan 2), we will need to fill our empty shop units with housing: this is such an opportunity out of adversity.
An, reducing car movements and speeds make it more attractive in which to be active. It's a more pleasant environment. We can then see housing perhaps on the social services' Canol y Dre, the Mount Street clinic or the Rhos Street school sites. No longer must we make do with an estate like Glasdir which is inaccessible and not rally a part of the town.
The Square really is the key!
- A suitable open space
- Green and active links
- Living well
A Suitable Square at the Heart of a More Vibrant Town
- Removal of the Square roundabout to add to the pedestrian realm
- The concept of "sticky streets" as one of two ways of helping footfall (one is to increase the number of people but the other is to ensure they pause, stay, hesitate
- An events arena
- Increased public seating
- An area where you can spill out from the pub, café and restaurant
- How do we want to see our Square used?
- As much new housing as possible should be within walking distance of the heart of town
- Encourage opportunities for residential space in the town centre itself (TRAFFIC)
- A town centre should be for living, working and playing
- Consider the needs of young families and an aging population
- Required is better infrastructure to hold events—the Square
- Ensure children can walk (or cycle) safely to schools
- Parking farther from the centre would encourage walking in as part of the experience
- Make parking easier for short-term errands
- Use "left-over" green space e.g. for sculptures
