STOP PRESS!!!

The 'Piazza' Strand

Area Boundary

• Rolle Street
• Queen Street
• St. Andrew's Road
• Imperial Road

Town Management - Sustainability Meeting - 12 December 2002

The Strand differs from other areas because there has been general agreement on how the area should be developed since the above meeting. At that meeting inspiration for the current proposals was taken from the successful transformation of Bournemouth's Square into an open leisure piazza. For reference Details of Bournemouth's award winning development are included on this website.

Vision

The vision, agreed at the meeting is of:

• A clean, bright, open space where people can meet and stroll freely.
• An area to walk in unmolested at any time of day.
• A haven from smells and noise of traffic and the nuisance of seagulls and pigeons.
• A place to relax and pause for a drink or a bite to eat.
• A focal point for activities, entertainments, markets, gatherings and civic ceremonies.
• An opportunity for the promotion of existing business and new businesses.
• A pedestrian, traffic-free gateway from the Exe Estuary car parks to the Heritage Coast at Orcombe. Linking with the pedestrian route from the Magnolia.
  

A Stategy to Achieve Our Vision.

These are the issues that need attention if we are to achieve our vision. These are noted as an aide memoire to ensure that future expenditure is directed to attaining the long-term aim:

• Traffic free - Devise new traffic routes which will enable The Strand to become traffic free. See the section on traffic
• Open space – removal of barriers and any other structures that prevent free passage. Careful pruning of trees if necessary to increase light. Consideration of the needs of the disabled.
• Police – A permanent police presence in the Strand area with the remote camera monitors there to enable a swift response to incidents.
• Business Promotion – Encourage local business by the acceptance of initiatives that will enhance the “Strand Experience”.
• Activities – What activities could be held? What provision needs to be made for them? (skittles, markets, fetes, carnival, boot sales, barbecues, boules, open-air theatre……………….
• Litter Clearing - particularly takeaway food containers.
• Cleaning of paved areas
• Seagulls, Pigeons – strategies for dealing with these problems.
• Eating areas - for fast food outlets? Alfresco restaurant areas.