Poynton Village Centre Revitalisation Scheme
Information Update No. 3: November 2010
POYNTON SCHEME TAKING SHAPE
So where has the programme got to?
As can be seen, the first element of the £3m plus project for the revitalisation of Park Lane, based on the principles of shared space, is now well advanced. The contractors are due to leave site by late November/early December, in order not to impact the Christmas period, with a return in early January 2011 for 6 weeks or so to finish off at the bottom end of Park Lane, and to resurface the carriageway from the Bulkeley Road junction with Park Lane up to Poynton Green. Work will start on transforming Fountain Place next summer.
The improvements include new surfaces and new shop forecourts - by agreement with owners, with new tree planting and street furniture to come.
What about traffic management ?
The one way traffic system will continue to operate – this has allowed each side of Park Lane to be completed at a time. A petition signed by a significant number of traders was handed to the Town Council in late October, requesting that traffic flows be reversed, and routed westwards down Park Lane. This has been considered by Cheshire East, the Project Managers and English Landscapes, the contractor, and they believe it is right to retain the current arrangement for the following reasons:
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If traffic flowed one way down Park Lane it would queue back from the traffic lights at Fountain Place. This would prevent the contractor being able to transport materials to the various construction areas along the length of Park Lane;
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A green traffic light at the bottom of Park Lane would also encourage drivers to increase speed to get through. This would endanger the workforce who are working in a very constricted space, and more separation would be needed between them and passing traffic;
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It would also necessitate the contractor bringing materials – even a single pallet of granite - from their London Road North compound all the way round the one way system – this would cause a considerable delay to the programme;
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Access to the Co-op car park, currently in use, would be impossible from Fountain Place;
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With the current arrangement having been in place for some three months it would cause confusion to both drivers and pedestrians at this late stage to introduce a change in direction for just one month. All the diversion signage would also need to be amended
Traffic will therefore continue to flow eastbound from Fountain Place up Park Lane. The diversion route for westbound traffic via Clumber Road and Dickens Lane will remain in force. Temporary traffic lights will continue to be operated at the junction of Dickens Lane and London Road South – these are switched off during the night and at weekends.
Parking restrictions on Clumber Road remain in force for the time being, and the former Infants playground at Vernon School remains open for temporary parking. This allows parents to drop off and collect children. This temporary car park has proved very popular, and safer than parking on the road, and we are looking to extend its daytime use beyond the construction period.
What about shopping ?
All of Poynton’s shops and services remain open as usual and every effort has been made to maintain access to them during construction. Residents are especially asked to continue to shop in Poynton, to help our retailers and service providers through a difficult time.
A series of ‘Shop Doctor’ events took place in early November, funded by Cheshire East, to provide free advice to various Poynton businesses. Some funding is also being made available by Cheshire East to encourage the opening of rear parking behind Park Lane businesses. Poynton Town Council recently prepared and part-funded a special Poynton Post supplement to publicise the scheme and to promote local trade.
Will there be a Poynton Christmas Fest this year?
Yes – following representations from traders this has been moved back to the original date of Tuesday 7 th December , when Park Lane will be closed to traffic from 7pm to 9pm . Businesses will have late opening, and there will be entertainment throughout the evening, including traditional carol singing. We hope that this year’s event will be extra special, given that we will be celebrating the opening of Park Lane after its transformation.
More Information
For specific issues arising during construction please call M. 07717 467274 or 07751 697282. A public issues log is maintained at the contractor’s site office on Park Lane, just up from the Waitrose store.
Further general information about the project can be had from John Brooks or Malcolm Adams at the Civic Hall on 01625 872238, or by e-mail: john.brooks@poyntontowncouncil.gov.uk malcolm.adams@poyntontowncouncil.gov.uk
Interest or enquiries about the Shop Doctor or developing parking space at the rear of Park Lane businesses should be directed to Shea O’Neill on T. 01270 685917, shea.oneill@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Project design details can be seen on the large notice board outside the Civic Hall.
Malcolm Adams
Town Clerk
Poynton Town Council
3 rd November 2010
