Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Mixed reaction to plans to revamp three city streets
Work on a £679,000 revamp of part of the city centre could start in the next few months after plans won the backing of people working and living nearby.
Canterbury City Council consulted residents and businesses on proposed improvements to Orange Street, Best Lane and The Friars, which would link the historic area with cultural hotspots including the Marlowe Theatre and the Beaney museum and gallery.
The plans involve upgrading the pavements and roads, and putting in new seating, planters and better street lighting.
The scheme also includes extending the pedestrianised zone into The Friars to make the area in front of the Marlowe more pedestrian-friendly and creating opportunities for businesses.
A report due to go before councillors tonight (Thursday) shows 65% of people consulted support the scheme with members set to nod it through.
If so, work will start early in the new year.
But while the majority support the makeover, a number of objections were received about the proposed extension to the pedestrian zone in The Friars.
The council says if the scheme is agreed, they will carry out another consultation to only extend it to a point just east of the bridge.
Some critics also raised concerns the revamp would increase noise and anti-social behaviour, would unfairly impact on disabled people and was more beneficial to businesses than residents.
In a formal response to the council, Chris Millar, secretary of the St Peter’s Residents’ Association, says there should be no seating anywhere as it would attract people who have been drinking as well as rough sleepers.
“Even people just talking on a seat outside one’s house is a distraction,” he wrote.
Mr Millar also raises fears that bars in Orange Street will ask for licences to have tables and chairs outside, causing “inevitable noise and disturbance” to residents.
He says the association welcomes new paving and the changes to the road surface in Orange Street and Best Lane, but has other concerns about the scheme. “Residents are very concerned about the impact of some of these proposed changes,” he wrote. “You need to live in the area to appreciate the existing and potential problems.”
The proposed makeover comes after a planned £639,000 upgrade of St George’s Street was put on hold amid concerns it would involve cutting down mature trees and fails to address the way the market stalls operate.
The council decided it would instead proceed with revamping Orange Street, Best Lane and The Friars. A decision is due at tonight’s regeneration and property committee meeting at The Guildhall at 7pm.