Cashless car parks, Western Bypass and town infrastructure - this week's Bromsgrove and Droitwich Standard letters - The Droitwich Standard

Cashless car parks, Western Bypass and town infrastructure - this week's Bromsgrove and Droitwich Standard letters

Droitwich Editorial 5th Nov, 2021   0

‘Bromsgrove needs a Western Bypass, not a car crash’

BROMSGROVE needs a bypass, not a car crash.

The A38 roadworks should be halted immediately and subject to an independent enquiry before anymore taxpayers’ money is wasted on this dangerous and unworkable scheme.

Local residents on the Birmingham Road are rightfully horrified and living in fear of this proposed extra lane which will result in three dangerously narrow lanes with no central safety area. This will make crossing impossible and access to properties hazardous, putting pedestrians, cyclists and all road users at risk.

For years Bromsgrove has been begging for a Western Bypass and a recent petition signed by thousands has been ignored.




It is well known that pollution causes long-term harm and responsible councils are discouraging traffic from central areas in line with Government climate guidance.

Unfortunately this plan encourages increased traffic capacity, along with more noise, danger and pollution so the environment impact assessment report should make an interesting read.


This funding should have been used to futureproof our town with a sustainable bypass but this short-sighted council seems only interested in building more houses and collecting revenue.

Do we have to start blocking roads to get our voices heard?

Just remember next election who is responsible for gridlocking Bromsgrove and polluting the air we breathe.

R Sanders

Bromsgrove

 

Cashless car parking machines discriminate against older people

I OBJECT strongly to Bromsgrove parking machines being cashless.

I am a pensioner who uses different Bromsgrove car parks two or three times-a-week and paying cash is my preferred method.

I have no smart phone and do nothing online.

Since my mobility is not too good, I would be uneasy using a bank card in such an open space, being unable to defend myself if attacked by a thief.

Everyone of all ages and lifestyles should be given options suitable to them.

Many Bromsgrove residents are in my age group and we should not be disregarded.

We all pay our council tax after all.

Jean Wiseman

 

Keeping cash in car park machines will benefit town centre and its shops

I WRITE regarding the district council’s ‘cashless car parking plans’.

Doing away with the option of people being able to pay by coins would seriously disadvantage people of the older generation who may not have cards or smartphones.

My observations from my visits to the High Street on a weekly basis is there is a good proportion of this generation visiting the High Street to shop and socialise and thus if the cash option for paying for parking was removed, then both the footfall, and thus the expenditure in the High Street, would be reduced. It would also impact on the quality of such people’s social life and thus their mental wellbeing.

The optimum solution would be to install parking barriers at the entry and exit of the car parks.

One drives in, collects one’s ticket, and then pays for the time parked by either coins, notes, card or phone at a machine before leaving the car park – this will eliminate the payment of fines being paid by people over-staying and thus may encourage them to stay longer, with the consequent benefits to the shops, cafes et al.

Nick Taylor

 

Levelling Up focus should be on town infrastructure not jubilation

I NOTED the Tory councillors’ jubilation at the award of the Levelling up Fund (Standard, October 29).

I do believe however there is a need for the council to focus, as a priority, on the town infrastructure.

Firstly, my attempt to access the council-owned Asda car park on Halloween when there was gridlock off Market Street and onto Recreation Road as only one slow car park entrance was functioning.

This photo is the access road into the car park from Recreation Road.

There have been problems with access and egress from their car park for many weeks now without resolution.

I decided to drive on to the multi-storey car park – it was closed!

I strongly believe that any council that cannot manage their own car parks should not be managing the town and further district.

Having found on-street parking, my access to town was impeded by flooding on the Market Street crossing (pictured).

Whilst appreciating the weekend’s heavy rain, flooding regularly occurs across the town and I would further cite Finstall Road and access to the Rugby Club as an example.

Finally, Coun May’s comment on the former Market Hall site being vacant since 2010 – it was her council that demolished the building and left the site derelict for many years.

Mike Marshall

Rock Hill

 

EDITOR’S COMMENT 

THE MINDLESS vandalism in on historic buildings in both Bromsgrove and Droitwich is of absolutely no benefit or gain for anyone – just wanton destruction.

The hundreds of pounds now being spent by St John’s Church to put right the damage could have been spent on benefiting the Bromsgrove community.

And with the Raven Hotel’s owners already spending massive amounts to restore it to its former glory, the last thing they need are malicious actions to setback their town-enhancing plans.

We welcome your letters…..

What pressing issues do you feel need addressing in Droitwich, Bromsgrove and South Birmingham? Send us your views to [email protected]

 

 

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