The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
An official consultation on the pedestrianisation of Spalding town centre is being launched today (Monday) as a new branding to promote the town has been revealed.
The consultation, which is set to run for three weeks, is looking for people to have their say on pedestrian vehicle use of the town centre also seeking feedback from members of the public about how they are using it and their ideas for it.
Run by Spalding Town Forum, the consultation is taking place to gain an understanding into people’s sentiment and perceptions around the current access arrangements, which are covered by a Traffic Regulation Order.
The Traffic Regulation Order includes the areas of Market Place and Hall Place and aims to limit the
number of vehicles coming into the town centre between 10am and 4pm and on market days.
However, in recent years its been ignored by many drivers and has been rarely policed.
“Traffic Regulation Orders work best when people comply with them as they are difficult and costly to enforce,” a release announcing the consultation states. “The Spalding Traffic Regulation Order is not working as it should and is also difficult to enforce.
“This means that vehicles continue to come into the town centre.”
It continues: “The feedback that people give will be shared with all of the different organisations that need to be involved in shaping future improvements for the town centre.
“That’s why it’s so important for people to have their say.”
The survey is being taken on by The Engaging People company based in Norfolk.
It is being promoted under ‘Love Spalding’, a brand that has been designed on behalf of Spalding Town Forum to reflect and promote pride in place.
The Love Spalding brand is to be used to promote and support different town centre activities, such as the consultation.
South Holland District Councillor Rob Gibson, chair of the Public Access Working Group explained: “I know that access
in the town centre matters to local people, and I fully appreciate that people have different opinions on this subject, which is why we are running this important survey.
“The aim of the survey is to really understand how people feel, their views around access and use, and also how they are travelling to and using the town centre.
“The Forum will listen carefully to what people tell us through this survey and the findings will be shared with all of the different organisations that need to be involved in shaping future improvements for the town centre.
“We want to hear from anyone who visits and uses Spalding Town Centre, whether you are a local resident or whether you’re coming into town from a little further afield, we want to understand your views.
“I want everyone to be able to enjoy Spalding town centre and all that it has to offer and I would urge everyone to please have your say and share your thoughts with us through this consultation.”
The survey can be completed online here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Spaldingtowncentre and paper copies are also available at the South Holland Centre and Boston College. Surveys in alternative formats are available by emailing Spalding.TownForum@sholland.gov.uk
The closing date for people to have their say in the consultation is July 24, 2023.
