Thursday, March 01, 2007

Shore Road

Shore Road is now going to be closed over the summer. Ocean Bay to the Mowlem.
I know there are going to be mixed views on the implications of this, but it IS happening. Now with this in mind and the fact we are having tuk-tuks, change is in the air my friends.
I'm proposing that on saturdays in the summer, we have several street performing pitches in this space and allow entertainers to work in these areas. I'm writing to the council to suggest this. What do people think.
PLEASE lets not debate the pro's and cons of this here, it is happening wether we like it or not, I just want some feedback about having covent garden style entertainers here.
Thanks

Posted by Anonymous to swanage view at 7:59 PM
Posted by at

14 comments:

The Postman said...

Er, not quite. It seems that the County Council can't sort out all the details for this summer (and quite a few people have complained, which seems to upset some in this election year....) See http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/purbeck/display.var.1225533.0.double_uturn_over_parking.php
So subject to the council agreeing to overturn the decision, it will be revoked..though it should be possible to keep the area from the Molwem to Victoria Avenue closed for 24 hrs during the summer. But the idea of street entertainment of one sort or another seems good to me ..

1/3/07 9:09 pm
Anonymous said...

Yes a greast idea to have street performers. How about a farmers' market too. And can the road be kept shut all year.
Shame on Swanage Town Council for chickening out.

2/3/07 9:16 am
Anonymous said...

we have great local performers, let's celebrate them, see:
http://www.flamefireshows.com/

2/3/07 12:32 pm
Anonymous said...

It would seem that the road is only going to be closed in it's usual manner (Victoria Avenue-Molwem) the only difference being that the road would stay closed 24 hrs.
It does pose a few problems as far as the street entertaining goes but nothing is impossible!!!
I'm still going to carry on with the proposal and we'll see what happens.
12.32- Thanks for the big up, this is Matt of FLAME

4/3/07 1:28 pm
Anonymous said...

Yes, good idea. Will it be like Covent Garden. As well as a farmers market can we have a flea market or similiar there. This could generate cash for the town and could help provide a few more amenities.

5/3/07 6:29 pm
Anonymous said...

If anyone else wants to propose it and manage it, awesome. I'm only volenteering to take on the organisiation and management of the street performing aspect but if anyone else wants to pitch in, I'd be more than happy to work alongside them.
I should have my proposal into the council by the end of the week and it's they that have the say!

5/3/07 11:06 pm
Anonymous said...

About ten years ago a local voluntary organisation made a proposal to the council for a market on the seafront very much along these lines. It would have had local crafts, collectables and a farmers market. It was rejected on the grounds that if someone sold old clothes it would be bad for the image of Swanage. After a few years deliberation the council decided we should have a market and asked a company that runs them elsewhere to establish it with the result that we have a standard market selling a lot of cheap tat - but no old clothes. Draw your own conclusions.

6/3/07 9:37 am
Anonymous said...

I suggest that all the residents who live to the South, slow down and even stop in Station/Institution road to back up the tourists and shoppers so that they find it too probamatical to stay in Swanage. In truth shore Road should be speed restricted to 20 mph and left open throgthout the year.

Hell there are those who live here.

6/3/07 8:44 pm
Anonymous said...

Whilst I have sympathy with the last post, those of us who live here NEED the visitors.

We may have to take somr discomfort to ensure our futures.

6/3/07 9:24 pm
Anonymous said...

I've been thinking, yeah I know my GP advised me not to, but ...

If we did close Shore Rd permanently then surely it would liberate those two islands that are the Rec and Sandpit field.

Both are rather isolated by roads. I think Gary Suttle had the idea of filling in the lower Avenue and creating one 'green' area. I like it, why not take it one step further and do away with Shore road entirely.

Then, I think, we'd have a brilliant stretch of peace and tranquility, a performance area, somewhere where 'cafe' culture could flourish - inagine the Ice Cream kiosks expanding and serving quality coffee etc.

Parking - yep, a problem, but wouldn't this make the North car park much more usable and integrated?

Nothings perfect, but it sounds pretty reasonable to me.

What d'ya reckon?

8/3/07 7:36 pm
Anonymous said...

Does anyone know who it was who objected so strenuously? Everyone I have spoken to thinks closing the seafront is an excellent idea. A spokesperson for the Chamber of Trade was quoted with some criticisms in the Advertiser but I have never known a chamber back any proposal to reduce traffic anywhere. They still all seem to think they need the carriage trade.

9/3/07 10:55 pm
Anonymous said...

... a plan that's upsetting some people ... an election round the corner.. I wonder why the Mayor stopped it.

10/3/07 7:54 am
Anonymous said...

Surely the answer is to close the same part of the road as is shut now, but do it all year. Pave or cobble it and make it a proper seafront - cafe society, street performers etc. etc. Obviously there would have to be access for the emergency services but otherwise it would make for a much pleasanter experience between the Mowlem and the clock tower. Today is a beautiful Spring day, there are lots of people on the beach, they are crossing the road to buy ice creams. There should be a propre prom. However, I think the rest of the road - Ocean Bay to the clock tower should remain open.

10/3/07 3:03 pm
Anonymous said...

My family have been connected with Swanage for over 40 years and the 4th generation is enjoying the town as much as the 1st who are now sadly dead and buried.

The 1st generation pressed for Shore Road to be closed between Victoria Road and the Mowlem having witnessed at first hand how dangerous it was to have a mix of parked cars, heavy traffic and numerous pedestrians particularly in July/August. Their efforts were only partly successful with daytime closure during the high season so they would be as delighted as we are to hear the latest news.

Once closure occures locals and visitors alike will soon appreciate the safer and user friendly environment and no doubt this will lead to additional business opportunities for local people.

16/3/07 7:57 pm

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