1. pedestrianisation of these areas may have significant benefits that will improve the town centre by making it a more attractive and safer centre to visit for leisure and shopping. “Pedestrianisation” means that people on foot – for shopping or leisure activities etc have clear priority over cars and lorries and safe public spaces are created for children, the disabled and the wider public.
2. The current through traffic, of cars, lorries and other motorised vehicles, along Sheep Street/Silver Street adds nothing to the town centre itself. This through traffic could use other routes around the town. Cambridge Street/ Market Street and Midland Road are often clogged with parked cars, which block access and safe spaces for pedestrians and disabled people.
3. Pedestrianisation could significantly reduce air pollution in parts of the town. Currently Sheep Street/Silver Street have the highest nitrogen dioxide (NOX) pollution of any part of Wellingborough. Small particle emissions, which are particularly dangerous to children and people with breathing difficulties, are also likely to be high, but they are not currently measured.
4. Pedestrianisation may have the potential of reducing the number of empty shops etc by encouraging new service-based enterprises, such as cafes and restaurants, niche shops, and other goods and services that cannot be purchased on-line or in supermarkets. In order to help the rejuvenation of our town centre we need to take positive steps to improve its ambiance and atmosphere, improve disability access and encourage new people to visit it.
5. Buses will still be able to use the areas as they do now. Taxis would be restricted to Tithe Barn Road and Cambridge Street/Market Street/Midland Road and might only have access at certain times.
6. Access will also be granted for deliveries (but times may be restricted) and there will be limited access into Tithe Barn Road (with an exit back to Commercial Way).
7. The feasibility study should include looking at data for pollution levels (including small particles), traffic accidents and other injuries, comparisons with other town like Wellingborough that have already been pedestrianised and examine the possible effects on areas in and around the town centre - shops and takeaways, local residents - and how any adverse effects can themselves be mitigated (e.g. weight restriction, parking restrictions availability of parking areas and speed restrictions etc).
8. Illegal parking by delivery drivers contributes to congestion and poor air quality on Cambridge Street. A designated loading area already exists in the road between the Cake Inn and the former KFC, leading to the Matalan car park. The feasibility study should consider this option to reduce congestion and improve air quality.
Sponsors of this petition include: Wellingborough Extinction Rebellion (XR), Wellingborough Eco Group, Wellingborough Green Party, Independent Socialist in Wellingborough, Cllr. Valerie Anslow, Cllr. Andrew Scarborough
This ePetition runs from 26/02/2025 to 28/05/2025.
16 people have signed this ePetition.