We believe in listening to a diverse range of views on all issues within our party. In support of that I attach comments received from our colleague, Nick Yabsley re the proposed changes in Queen Street Newton Abbot.
I do not share his views in this case but the debate benefits from listening to all viewpoints and will help ensure that the best solutions come forward.
Phil Bullivant
Comment from Councillor Nick Yabsley (Newton Abbot Town Council, Bushell Ward, & Newton Abbot Conservative Association, Deputy Chair Membership & Fundraising).
Although I usually agree with Phil on most issues, on the proposed changes to Queen Street, I strongly disagree, and I have lived in Newton Abbot pretty much all my life. Forgive me for being a little nostalgic, but visions of Madge Mellors, R & J Bennett, The Courtney Public House are memories I cherish.
Queen Street is a vibrant and living place, bringing much needed commerce into the town and acting as an artery for new business as well as long established shops to coexist.
Even with the pressure from internet shopping, the devastating effects of the Lockdown, and the very predictable Cost of Living crisis that has followed, I think Queen Street is doing rather well!
The Traders have shown remarkable durability and resilience, and are being joined by new enterprises opening despite these challenges. Ok, it’s not perfect, we can all think of shops that we would like to add, but when you compare it to other towns it stands up pretty well.
I’m told that Queen Street needs to have wider pavements, to be safer and easier for pedestrians. I say, Queen Street already has wider pavements than most other South Devon towns, take for example Salcombe, Dartmouth and Totnes. The thousands of visitors to these popular destinations all seem to cope!
With Wolborough Street, Bank Street, Courtenay Street and the whole Market Walk area already pedestrianised, there are plenty of opportunities for people to walk freely, as well as eat and drink outside if they want to.
Have you seen what similar changes have meant to Torquay and Paignton and the dramatic decline that has resulted. I say the powers that be should focus on filling the empty units in our already pedestrianised area, such as Ridgeways, M & S, and now Wilco to name but three.
The proposal is to limit parking, but many elderly and disabled visitors use Queen Street out of necessity, parking for an hour, going about their business and leaving. Yet the street is invariably pretty full, which indicates that numerous people use it on a regular basis, bringing in thousands of pounds in parking revenue.
Very few motorists use Queen Street as a rat run to speed up their journey through the town.(with the exception of road works or an accident causing a detour). If travelling on to neighbouring towns, East Street or The Avenue would be their preferred route.
As for consultation, if asked do you think we should look after the environment, or do you like trees?, of course people are going to agree, but that’s not real consultation.
Two years ago, I spent six hours of my time, asking all businesses in Queen Street their views. The results were very clear, three out of four business owners in Queen Street were fundamentally against the proposals, and from what I have heard that opinion hasn’t changed.
In the last twelve months, I have visited Marlow, Whitstable, Padstow and even Paris! All these places still allow vehicle access, value their history and are thriving as a result.
With our Government only last week changing tact on HS2 as a result of rising costs and a changing world post Covid, it is not too late for a rethink.
I say if it ain’t broke, it don’t need fixing! In the interests of preserving and projecting Newton Abbot into the future, let’s keep Queen Street ‘ open for business’!