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Rochford Market Square pedestrianisation hope

6:59am Thursday 7th February 2008

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ROCHFORD'S historic Market Square could be pedestrianised under revamp proposals being considered for the town centre.

As well as cutting traffic in Rochford, district councillors also want to see better quality shops in central Hockley, as part of masterplans to make both towns more attractive and improve their infrastructures.

But they want to hear from residents before drawing up initial plans.

Council leader Terry Cutmore said: "In Rochford, many people would like to see a central area free from traffic and we are looking to pedestrianise Market Square.

"The town centre does need some attention as far as traffic is concerned.

"We want to improve tourism in the area and make Rochford a place for people to visit.

"Many visitors to the RSPB wetlands development at Wallasea Island drive through Rochford on the way there."

Mr Cutmore also said Hockley has been earmarked for a makeover.

He said: "The shops in Hockley town centre do need some development, because at the moment they are very drab and dreary.

"Hockley is a fairly affluent area, so you would have thought there would be some better shops."

The town centre masterplans are part of Rochford district council's local development framework, which will act as a future guide for new roads, housing, shops and facilities throughout the area.

By consulting residents, the district council wants to find out how much redevelopment is needed in Rochford and Hockley and what would be appropriate.

It has also promised to take into account the local character and history of the towns in any redevelopment.

Mr Cutmore added: "We have our own ideas, but we want to find out what other people's visions are for their towns."

However, the council has not put forward any timescales for development at this stage. People have until Friday, February 15, to register their views with the council.

You can do so online at www.rochford.gov.uk or by calling the council hotline on 01702 546366.

A public exhibition of the initial results will be held in March before more final plans are drawn up.

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Your Say YourEcho

Mick, Rochford says...
9:21am Thu 7 Feb 08

Are the council putting another nail in the coffin for the small shops of Rochford. Have they considered the bus routes, will this alienate the route to the station. I do hope that they ask for the residents to comment at a public meeting before they commit our money for the project.

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RJ, Rayleigh says...
10:09am Thu 7 Feb 08

I love Rochford just the way it is! I moved here from the South Coast several years ago and felt like an alien. Rochford is just one place I have always felt at home though. All those little shops are lovely and the owners and workers are friendly and outgoing. I fear changing things will mean the loss of small businesses. Sometimes things should just be left well enough alone.

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APR, Benfleet says...
10:32am Thu 7 Feb 08

This idea would just about kill the town centre off, as well as making it a haven (more than it is now) for the baseball cap, baggy trouser wearing hoodie brigade.

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Councillor John Mason, www.rochfordessex.co m says...
1:40pm Fri 8 Feb 08

I think that the Council Chief has either made a mistake with this one or he is simply trying to get a front page story. I thinks that its the latter because he surely can't have forgotten that just about 5 years ago now, that as an independent councillor, I put the idea forward at a town centre sub committee that not only could it be pedestrianised but also it could be made as attractive as a town square in France. I wished that I hadn't by the time of the next meeting when the shop owners had come forward to protest because they benefit from the "free parking trade" and many felt that they would have to close without it. This sort of publicity will give the Council Chief a higher profile and stimulate unproductive protest rather than constructive debate. He will regret saying this when it is remembered at the May elections.

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Mick, Rochford says...
2:58pm Fri 8 Feb 08

Well I am surprised that after 24 hours since this story was released not more people have voice their opinion for or against this idea. I have been thinking since I first entered my opinion. I'll add the people who use the station from the anne boleyn side and beyond which way the buses all into Rochford then to the Ashingdon Road via Daly's Road or 7's one way or 8's the other. I have not found the recent pamphlet that came round from one of the parties of councillers I think the Conservatives saying " they are pleased that the new Somerfields were in the town to give more competion to the shops" I think that is how it went if not I'll appologise but it read like that. Now as I said earlier by pedestrianising the town where will the cars park. They wont use the car park and having to pay. "Let's go to Tesco" they may say. Around the streets is clogged up with residents and commuters cars. I think this may be a wind up. But we will see.

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APR, Benfleet says...
3:06pm Fri 8 Feb 08

Also if people can make a quick stop (without paying,)it wouldn't be long before Barclays Bank would close.

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AGK, Rochford says...
3:52pm Fri 8 Feb 08

If Mr Cutmore is serious,then he should hold a public meeting.These proposals should empty Rochford Square
of the few shops we already have. All in the name of tourism !!
Considering the high cost of the Council Tax we deserve better than this witless suggestion

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JA, Rochford says...
11:02pm Sat 9 Feb 08

Yes please!!! I am very supportive of the pedestrianisation of the square. I am fed up with the cars backing up into South Street blocking the buses from getting round. Can't they see the KEEP CLEAR sign marked on the approach to the car park? Perhaps it will force people to not be so lazy in future and park in the car park at the bottom of West Street. I think the road should remain open for the buses, but the square itself blocked off. This is the best proposal by the council for along time! Finally someone is seeing some sense! The shops won't close I am sure of it, especially if the council take away the charges for the car park at the bottom of West Street.

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APR, Benfleet says...
10:29am Sun 10 Feb 08

You either block the square off, or you don't. That means for buses and Taxis too.

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JA, Rochford says...
11:55am Wed 13 Feb 08

The square can easily be blocked off with West Street still open down the side. The taxis don't need to be there as they have a place at the station anyway. There would be no point in blocking West Street would there? What would become of the rest of West Street leeading up to the Square from the station end? Make it a dead end? Or block it all the way down? If they do block it, then so be it. The buses can go straight down North Street and down Dalys road, which is where they go anyway in the other direction. Whatever, the square needs to be blocked off to stop the cars blocking South Street and blocking the very easy to see KEEP CLEAR sign that they so blatently ignore. The Square could become a nice place to sit and have a coffee in the summer. It might encourage a nice little cafe to open up.

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J.M., South Fambridge says...
10:38am Thu 14 Feb 08

It is ridiculous to
pedestrianise Rochford Square. I was able to park very easily in the Square this morning to visit the excellent butchers, bakers and Bank.

Surely it would be better to move the bus stop from the Square.

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Comments are closed on this article.

council leader Terry Cutmore in Market Square Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL BKJAY2 council leader Terry Cutmore in Market Square Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL BKJAY2

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