Tuesday, August 02, 2011

One-way to Hell in Welshpool

Things of which I approve are happening at Powys County Council. The cosy consensus which has stultified debate and ostracised the voice of the people for 20 years has been smashed. A ruling coalition has been formed (currently Powys Independents and Lib Dems) something which I always approved of, though preferring the Conservatives to be involved. Next year perhaps. As a consequence of this, an 'opposition' has also emerged - to 'oppose'. Initially, it seemed to me that the new governing coalition successfully smothered any potential for genuine opposition by taking control of the 'scrutiny' committees - a dastardly plan. But the Chief executive has stepped in. It seems that we are now to have 'committees' established to conduct reviews of issues, taking evidence, making recommendations - in effect holding the ruling coalition to account. Well done, Mr Paterson. Democracy is not dead in Powys after all.

Now to the interesting first issue under discussion, the new traffic gyratory system at Welshpool - otherwise known as the one-way system. A committee, under the Chairmanship of Cllr. David Jones has been established to look at how it's working, or not! Perhaps they might even ask why it was introduced in the first place. I can see this putting one or two noses out of joint. Good. Great stuff. At long last we will have Councillors asking the questions that the people they represent want asked.

Personally, I hate one way systems. They usually cause more problems than they solve. They work fine when traffic is light, but cannot cope with heavy traffic - especially when delivery vehicles are allowed to completely stuff up the system by parking on Berriew St. and Severn St. during the daytime. Dozens of people have approached me with their concerns. Firstly by town centre businesses suffering a loss of trade, and secondly by people concerned about the greater danger in crossing Broad St., especially for the elderly and less mobile. Only thing positive you can say is that it's nothing like as bad as Newtown. So don't hold back Councillor Jones. Lets have a hard-hitting report. And when you've done with this issue, I've a few other ideas for your committee to look into.

6 comments:

Democritus said...

Welshpool's image problem is not related to it's traffic congestion, but the political party that has its headquarters there. Why does Powys Council tolerate this?

carolalex said...

At last someone is taking notice of this ludicrous one-way system. Whoever thought it up in the first place must be living on another planet. My husband who has a business in Broad Street is inundated with negative comments regarding the scheme and many comment that they now avoid Welshpool if they possibly can! Thank you Glyn for bringing this issue to the forefront - lets get this ludicrous system reverted back to its original layout and save this beautiful market town from extinction!!!!!

Democritus said...

I always avoid Welshpool if I possibly can. It stinks of gas chambers and extermination ovens ...

Kay said...

Powys county council's review will recomend that all traffic is put onto the Back road & they will have the "Brook St. by-pass" they've always wanted, it was proposed years ago & rejected so they created a un-necessary one way system that is so bad all they had to do was to wait for the complaints, face it Welshpool you've been had

Glyn Davies said...

Kay - interestingly (for me anyway), I always wanted the East-West road built when the current North-South by-pass was built. I was one of the very few at the time. I remain of the opinion that it would have beneficial to the town. Not sure it can go ahead now though - and who would pay for any changes now that Tesco cannot be held over a barrel?

Anonymous said...

I don't know Welshpool all that well, but I heard that you can now get the entire contents of the high street from under one roof at a recently opened supermarket for a fraction of the price? and free parking too!