Author: Sal
Esplanade Traffic Meeting Tonight
Tuesday, 16th September, 2008 at 6:24 pm, Isle of Wight
Don’t forget that a meeting is being held tonight in Ventnor to discuss the future of traffic and the Ventnor Esplanade.
If you’re interested in attending the meeting, pop along to the Balmoral Room at Ventnor Winter Gardens from 7pm.
The meeting has been arranged to update the public on the evaluation of the current road safety along the Esplanade and to discuss environmental concerns that have been expressed by those using the Esplanade.
Image: Ventlindown
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It was an unedifying spectacle as the first hour was taken up by the bully-boys running businesses on the esplanade, who made it clear that their view of a Conservation Area was as an obstacle to development rather than the protection of a Ventnor we all love. And, they shouted, why didn’t Highways Officer Burton, who did a very patient job explaining the powers and constraints under which he acted, consult the people who really mattered (them) before reorganising the esplanade traffic so that people could sit out and pedestrians could be a little safer ? Their only concern is for as many parked cars as can be squeezed in – each space represents, on average, a particular little pot of money for them, so they say. And this is what really matters to them, not the amenities and ambience of our esplanade. Mayor Susan Scoccia did a good job in managing to bring in other members of the public to have a say, but it would seem that the ideal for those most vocal would be an esplanade packed with wall-to-wall high rises and as many parked cars as possible – one suggestion was to put a boardwalk over the top of Jim Blake’s beach huts and park cars where the pavement is. Pedestrianisation of the esplanade didn’t stand a chance.
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travelling down the zig zag road to a left to a great car park, NO foolishly turning right onto the esplanade slow progress then …yep you guessed it oncomming traffic the other way on a single road children inches from my mirrors as they run across fetching ice cream ….. come on ventnor its so simple and cost effective its a single road therefore “ONE WAY ONLY!” no entry from the zig zag , forced to park and yes walk and shop local will enter down the deadly spy glass hill and yes still deliver and park BUT ALL one way !!
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Watchdog, those protecting the parking on the seafront were pretty quiet about the loss of 19 parking spaces when the boat building development in the car park was passed last year.
Sadly, I wasn’t able to make the meeting. Was the subject of a reduction in the speed limit discussed?
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HolidayMaker: The one-way system would be entirely feasible – Bath Road (the “deadly spyglass hill”) one way down, giving access to La Falaise car park on the cliff at the west end. Then out one way down along the esplanade to the pumping station, with the Cascade Road (the “zig-zag road”) two ways. Whether this would encourage higher speeds is another matter [Craig: no, speed limts on the esplanade were not discussed].
One possibility for esplanade parking would be to restrict it wholly to disabled parking, and reduce a few of the disabled spaces at La Falaise and the Eastern Esplanade.
To my mind, what we need for a safe and amenable esplanade is a complete prohibition of vehicles on the western esplanade during the day in the summer, say no access 10.00-17.00 Easter to the end of September. Businesses could still get deliveries outside those hours, and tout for passing trade in the evening. Personally, if I were a visitor looking for somewhere to eat, I would park at one end or the other and take a stroll to see what is on offer.
What we really need to connect the two parts of the town without always relying on a motor vehicle, is something like a funicular or lift up and down from the eastern esplanade, but I gather that that has already been considered and ruled out – I’m not sure on what grounds. Maybe they should think again.
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I did manage to park on the sea front car park past the toilets (sorry dont know the name ) and as you say, I had a very nice stroll along the front (watching my wife spend my money) it does make sence to make it No Entry from the car park end and one way only …. as timing restrictions dont eleviate two way traffic and will only be abused by All … requiring expensive enforcement ….just 2 new sign posts needed NO ENTRY and ONE WAY
I would just like to comment on what a great little town ventnor is (my first time ) and my kids loved it but what is that smell i think they call it the “haven ” (how inappropriate) and now talk of losing your carparking for a factory …… still who needs tourists
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“bully-boys … tout for business” … Watchdog – this kind of language is not very helpful. Are businesses really always the enemy? Without continued investment Ventnor won’t have to worry about traffic – just tumbleweeds. Of course traffic on the esplanade needs to be carefully managed – for EVERYONE. I vote for the one way idea with as many annoying chicanes etc as possible to keep speeds down – but a wry smile to the idea of restricting deliveries to before 10 …. I should CoCo! “what … all the way to Ventnor before 10am … sorry mate….”
Am loving the funicular / lift idea – sponsored by Stannah? ;-)
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You’d need to think very carefully about making the whole system one way as it may generate more traffic along the Esplanade than we have already. If for example the Winter Gardens were in a one way system that would mean extra traffic, as would the houses on Bath Road. At present I’d guess most people access these and leave by the same route, and so not using the Esplanade.
I’d agree with the spirit of what Helen says too, why oh why do Brits hate people so much who work hard and then make money.
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I totally agree with you John it is a British disease to knock anyone who is doing well. Most countries where I have visited in the past applaude and encourage success. Probably because they realise that it not always an easy path to tread as it has many downs as well as ups since it’s full of risk, look at the banks today who would thought HBOS would be suffering 10 days ago. On other subjects I think its too much risk to change things on the seafront whilst its doing so well and is so popular. What if any changes completely put people off coming. Do we want to take that risk? Especially at the moment with the the country’s finances in turmoil
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I didn’t consider that a one way system would be likely to increase traffic – yikes John I do see that … hence we need expert planners I guess!
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Those who talk about “knocking British businesses” are trying to engage in that twisted logic of arguing from the particular to the general. I myself have sons who are self-employed businessmen. This is a very local problem.
A small group crowded around the Chairman shouting their heads off is not my idea of the way to set Highways policy. And their loud and sustained denunciation of a Conservation Area (which went out to wide consultation) as an obstacle to “progress” sticks in the gullet.
Planning and Highways policy is a compromise which should be accepted by all as a civilised alternative to anarchy. No-one expects to have the right to drive on whichever side of the road they please or to ignore traffic lights (except in Cairo).
Without a Conservation Area we get a sterile 6-storey block of flats for second-home owners such as the Metropole, which blocks the view of the hillside from below and cuts across the sweep of the bay and shoreline for those above. That doesn’t contribute to business, as it is empty most of the time. With a Conservation Area, we get developments such as the nice pair of houses at the far end of the esplanade opposite the Spyglass, which last year won the IW Society/RIBA Conservation Award.
By the way, no-one is suggesting any change in the 2-way traffic on Cascade Hill or past the Winter Gardens.
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one way system will not increase traffic flow only improve flow to the proper car park area. Alas speed limits dont work but ramps or ramped pelican crossings get rid of all “boy” racers over engineered solutions seldom work simple is best I live near Birmingham and commute and study traffic planning for a living (pretty sad!) spend your money wisely …. the wife says more gift shops up the high st like old shanklin or godshill ….
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Hey holiday maker – buy a lovely second home in Ventnor, we’d welcome your wife’s spending potential … and traffic planning, yes please! – the Metropole flats are quite nice – but obviously not as beautific as the decrepit old pile of bricks that was there before – he he
“twisted logic” – hmmm…
What’s that I hear?
Ah yes – the sound of my case being rested.
*bows out*
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GOT IT! , (Birmingaham city planners dept)
1)extend esplanade;
2)concrete over beach
3) build new carpark area
4) dual road with flyover with safety barriers from zig zag to bath road
5) toll booth (manned 24hrs ) this will repay costs incured
estimated cost 6.7 million pounds and will require nominal increases per capita in council taxation
this plan is also future proof as this allows the new car park to be converted to industrial units or small factories ( limited to 3 floors )at a future date ,the additional influx of labour will require luxury modern tower blocks to be built on any available land !
Hope this Helps!
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Helen, Isn’t it possible that something in between “a pile of old bricks” and the “sterile 6-storey block of flats” could’ve been developed?
It sounds like Watchdog isn’t against development, but just the wrong sort of development and I’d second that.
The actions of some people at the meeting just goes to strengthen my view of them.
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This seems to have split into two threads. Traffic and Conservation.
The most feasible solution seems to me to have a trial one way system for six months in the winter to begin with, to see how/if it works.
Traffic flow both ways in Bath Road for the top section where the houses are, so those residents can exit via Belgrave. From the bend down, through the Esplanade and up Cascade as far as The Harbour View Hotel, one way west to east. From the H.V., traffic flow both ways so H.V guests and W.Gardens can exit via Pier Street.
The “Conservation” issue will never work unless there is some enforcement. Just look at all the decrepit properties which are in the C.A. yet their owners are allowed to run them down until they are almost falling down. Three of the properties close to the “sterile” Metropole are an absolute disgrace. I never hear of any enforcement to compel their owners to upgrade them. Until that happens, this “Conservation Area” is a joke. Its supporters should look at the punitive actions taken by Councils who take their duties seriously. They are just playing at it here.
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Well eventually I managed to get a word in at the meeting regarding the SAFETY OF OUR ESPLANADE
everyone is entitled to a SAY!
NO1: Take down 20 speed restriction signs (No one takes any notice! especially the delivery drivers!
NO2: Make the Esplanade Pedetrianised between 10-4
No3: Let our businessess extend the seating outside to accomodate more locals and tourists to sit and admire our beautiful and breath taking view without the noise and smell of Biffa Lorry’s and CONTINUED annoying and impatient drivers ALL DAY LONG!
No4:ALL businessess to COMMUNICATE and have a weekly get together so we as a FRIENDLY TEAM can AGREE and have what we want instead of the council telling us?
No5:Does anyone REALISE that the Coaches do not stop in VENTNOR? In the next 2 years? Dont even worry about the one way system, because no one will even come here, what with the new FACTORIES been built on OUR CAR PARKS – HELLO ANYONE LISTENING?!?
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BusinessOwner. Good points. The councils failure to ring-fence infrastructure to support existing facilities is incompetent or worse. No wonder they don’t want to speak to VB. Difficult questions like ‘What the f***??!’ might be posited.
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spot on! business owner, Pedetrianise. restricted access / or deliveries only pave the whole road with plenty of seating, flower beds etc (Gives the kids somewhere to skate) how about free parking for coaches (and medals for drivers if they can get there coaches down to the car park ) Everyone has the answers .. but not the solutions.. To keep the tourists comming u need a niche ….something exclusive to Ventnor? You need to make it the Island Capital for something ? ….. Watersports or something! … You have a New harbour a public slipway and thee most spectacular south facing Sea View! …. This is a seaside town so make the most of it !
Dont try to copy , dont be a jack of All . Be a master of One! Be the model town for innovation.. Kick your tired old councillors off the gravy train and get some local commitees together to innovate but above all “implement!” new ideas ….But quickly before you loose all the small traders and with them All the tourists
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