Attractions leave little space for leisure

I refer to last week’s news and report that the councillors of the Windsor and Ascot Development Management Committee have approved the plans to allow the return of an observation wheel for certain months of the year in Alexandra Gardens.

This would be an attraction for local people as well as visitors, tourists etc. thus boosting the local economy and, presumably, provide a financial return to the council.

I do not oppose local attractions of this kind in general, but I do have some reservations and I agree with the concerns raised by Cllr Alison Carpenter re the potential dominance of the wheel and resulting reduction in space for people to have picnics etc.

As she says, ‘It’s supposed to be a beautiful area. I’m just worried that they will lose that.’

Throughout the year, approximately one third of the space is used and occupied by commercial ventures for different ages and interests.

We also have half the space taken over by the annual ice rink and fairground attractions between the months of November and January.

The wheel will be in operation from

March to September so doesn’t this result in very little time and space for people to use the space for playing games, for picnics, for just sitting and for other pursuits which do not cost.

I would mention enjoying the flowers and shrubs, but these are thin on the ground and the gardens themselves are rather devoid of colour. Perhaps the council needs to consider the history of the gardens and their purpose.

We do not live in Edwardian times, but we still enjoy gardens for leisure and rest, both of which are important to everyone.

The report states that the wheel is set to come back as a temporary attraction.

Perhaps the council needs to have a rethink, or a public consultation of local residents, unless of course it is considering renaming the gardens as Alexandra Commercial Attractions?