Western Parade Woodhatch benefits from a makeover
News release dated 7 January 2008 about improvements to the shopping parade at Western Parade in Woodhatch.
Western Parade in Woodhatch has undergone a makeover as part of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s scheme to enhance villages and shopping parades across the borough.
"The improvements reflect what residents and traders told us was important to them in creating a cleaner, safer and better-functioning local shopping centre." (Cllr Dr Daniel Poulter, Executive Member for Regeneration & Transport)
The work was undertaken in conjunction with highway improvement works carried out by Surrey County Council.
To mark the successful completion of the project a ribbon cutting ceremony was held in Western Parade today, Monday 7 January 2008, with Councillors and local traders.
Councillors, local traders and council officers involved in the project mark the completion of the Western Parade improvements.
Shopping parade enhancements
Improvements made by the Borough Council to enhance the shopping parade included:
resurfacing the pavement along Western Parade
improving car parking provision to provide more parking bays and safer parking
laying a speed table to slow traffic along the parade
installing pedestrian railings and new bollards to protect pedestrians and prevent vehicles mounting the kerb and
new flower boxes to brighten up the shopping parade.
The hedge bordering the Western Parade slip road and Prices Lane was also removed to make it safer for pedestrians, who used to cross the road between gaps in the hedge.
Cllr Dr Daniel Poulter, Executive Member for Regeneration and Transport at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, said: “Creating viable and well maintained local shopping parades is a priority for the Council.
"The improvements reflect what residents and traders told us was important to them in creating a cleaner, safer and better-functioning local shopping centre so I am sure the improvements will be a success in encouraging more people to use their local shops.
"I would also like to thank all those residents and traders who gave their input into the scheme.”
Junction improvements
Surrey County Council’s highway improvement scheme included the alignment of the junction of Prices Lane and Woodhatch Road at the crossroads with the A217 and installation of new traffic signals and pedestrian crossings, making the busy junction safer and providing better pedestrian and cycle facilities.
In addition a one-way system has been introduced in Western Parade to improve access and reduce two-way traffic conflict.
Cllr Frances King, Borough Councillor for South Park and Woodhatch and Surrey County Councillor for Earlswood and Reigate South, added: “Consultation through the Borough Council’s Local Community Action Plan (LCAP) for Woodhatch showed that people value their local shops.
"But they felt that parking provision and traffic flow in Western Parade were issues that needed attention. Pedestrian safety was also raised as an issue for consideration.
"Through the LCAP we secured funding to carry out a feasibility study to find solutions to the problem, which included looking into putting in a one way traffic system and providing additional parking as part of the village shopping parades enhancement scheme. The Borough and County Councils then worked together to deliver the improvements.
“The improvements make a huge difference to the area and we have had a great deal of positive feedback from Western Parade traders who have already experienced a positive impact on trade, and residents have said that now that it is easier to park, they are more willing to use their local shops.
"I'd like to thank all those involved in the scheme, particularly the engineers from the Borough and County Councils for all their hard work in delivering the project.”
Based on the community's feedback, initial design proposals for Western Parade's improvements were drawn up, then residents, traders and local ward councillors were asked for their views again before the plans were finalised.
Good for business
Tony Brooks, Secretary of Woodhatch Traders Association, who runs Castle Insurance on Western Parade, said: “As far as local traders are concerned the improvement project appears to have made quite a difference to trade.
"Particularly the widening of Western Parade to allow parking on both sides of the road and the fact that it is now one way, which has made a tremendous difference to traffic flow through the parade. The removal of the old hedgerow also makes the shops along the Parade more visible.
“We have had a number of positive comments from customers too, who have said they find it easier to park and think the project has really brightened the area up.
“On behalf of local traders I would like to thank everybody who’s been involved in the project particularly those at the Borough and County Councils, and the contractors who undertook the work under sometimes difficult conditions.”
The village and local shopping parade enhancement scheme is part of the Borough Council’s 'Love Where You Live' civic pride campaign, which aims to build awareness of what we can all do to keep our streets and parks cleaner and tidier so our residents can love where they live.
The Council aims to improve 15 village centres and shopping parades across the Borough over three years to 2009. Seven schemes are already complete and another three are in the early planning stages.
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
01737 276000
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