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Residents concerned by pedestrianisation plans

JOHN DEVINE/BBC Roger Papworth is 76, has thinning combed over wispy dark and in places grey hair. He is wearing a stripped shirt, with a blue fleece and a brown body warmer and he is sitting in front of Ramsey town library with vehicles parked outsideJOHN DEVINE/BBC
Roger Papworth, 76, said Ramsey needs more parking in town, not less

A council's plan to pedestrianise the main shopping area in a Cambridgeshire town has caused concern for some residents.

The scheme, devised by Huntingdonshire District Council, and made possible with a £1.2m grant from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, would remove some town centre parking bays in Ramsey.

Residents against the plan said parking was already difficult and more spaces were needed for accessibility and to help the town "thrive".

Huntingdonshire District Council said while parking may be reduced, improvements to parking elsewhere, including Mews Close car park, would be made as part of the project.

JOHN DEVINE/BBC The Great Whyte is the main hub of Ramsey, it has two-way traffic on the right, which will remain, but to the left, outside the library there is a a single lane with car spaces which is the area that could be pedestrianised losing parking bays.JOHN DEVINE/BBC
The area to the left of The Great Whyte could be fully pedestrianised

Roger Papworth, 76, is a driver with mobility issues.

"It can seem like a merry-go-round as you drive around the island outside the library looking for a space," he said.

"I can't walk too well, so if there is no bay available, I just go home and have my coffee and cake there, the cafes miss out on my business.

"This is a growing town, we need more spaces, not less. People even park on the pavements, there is no law enforcement, but it shows you how needed the parking spaces are."

John Devine/BBC Four vehicles, a van and three cars parked on a pavement on the left hand side of a road that has designated bays further along, but they are all full. There are shops and houses on both sides of the street, and double-yellow lines can be seen on parts of the roadway.John Devine/BBC
Vehicles parked on the pavement was a regular occurrence Mr Papworth said

Jean Smith, 74, lives opposite the towns library and told the BBC: "Huntingdonshire District Council want to make this place thrive, well to do that you need accessible parking spaces.

"The cars park all over the place here anyway, it's bad enough now, they leave vehicles on double-yellow lines, on pavements, anywhere really.

"Whatever will it be like with less town centre spaces?"

JOHN DEVINE/BBC Jean Smith, 74 with white short hair and a pink top with matching fleece in the doorway of her home in Ramsey.JOHN DEVINE/BBC
Jean Smith said there were insufficient parking spaces already and the car park was always full

Mayor of Ramsey, Val Fendley said she wanted to keep the area "vibrant and thriving and a place people want to visit".

She added: "This idea would provide space for more businesses, outside seating for cafes, we could hold regular activities, the market could sit there, which currently takes up parking bays.

"We do have anti-social parking issues here, we are hoping next year, when the District Council takes over parking enforcement from the police, that problem will be addressed.

"Any parking spaces lost in the new pedestrian area will be replaced in other locations and there will still be four disabled bays in the main hub of the Great Whyte."

Val Fendley Mayor of Ramsey Councillor Val Fendley has shoulder length sandy hair, she has tinted glasses and is wearing a floral dress with a ceremonial chain.Val Fendley
Mayor of Ramsey, Val Fendley, said things were not set in stone and concerns would be listened to

Huntingdonshire District Council said it was "undertaking engagement events this week" at Ramsey Town Council’s offices in the Great Whyte.

It said residents and businesses could find out about the diffrent options it was considering.

"This includes how we can best improve the environment for pedestrians and also the provision of general and disabled car parking provision," it added.

"We are keen to hear what residents and businesses have to say and we will be using this feedback to improve and finalise project proposals so that we can deliver the best outcome possible for Ramsey.

"We are also now asking those who can’t attend the events to give feedback [online through] Ramsey consultation. "

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