‘Rat run’ gone but masterplan fears remain
GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE -- an artists impression of how Hucknall town centre could look if the regeneration plan takes off
RESIDENTS of Hucknall’s Thoresby Dale area still have concerns about Notts County Council’s £12.4 million masterplan to regenerate the town centre — even though a big worry has now been resolved.
The proposal for a new inner bypass running parallel with High Street would originally have meant opening up the top of Budby Rise to traffic.
Members of Thoresby Dale Residents Neighbourhood Watch said this would have created a ‘rat-run’, leading to a danger of accidents and extensive disturbance for residents.
The county council has now changed this part of the plans as one of ‘subtle’ alterations to the previous scheme.
But group spokesman John Hardy said: “We are still not entirely happy with what is planned.
“We think the new road would be too close to houses on Perlethorpe Drive and we are also worried that drivers would face problems trying to access the bypass from Albert Street.”
The scheme also involves pedestrianisation of the section of High Street between its junctions with Watnall Road and Baker Street.
But Mr Hardy claimed it would be difficult to keep this area traffic-free. He pointed out that businesses there included Hucknall Post Office and a taxi firm, while disabled blue-badger holders needed to access the pedestrian zone.
He added that the idea of buses being able to encroach on this section of High Street had not yet been ruled out. “We are wondering how pedestrianisation can be achieved there,” said Mr Hardy.
The county council’s principal projects manager, Paul Horn, said officers were still sifting through more than 300 written responses after a roadshow enabling the public to comment on amendments made to the plan. These include an alteration to the proposed junction of the bypass with Station Road.
The county council is due to submit a revised planning application in October.
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Weather for Hucknall
Saturday 18 May 2013
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