Ipswich Borough Council has a splendid scheme in place that mitigates the
need for central area congestion charging. The bus gyratory system
effectively prevents other vehicles (that don't need to be there) from
entering the town centre. Between Museum Street and Upper Brook Street,
between Doo's Head Street and Crown Street, pedestrians in the town centre
enjoy priority. There are exceptions. Deliveries can only be made to
premises in Tavern Street and Westgate Street from the front of the shops
and here vehicles are allowed early in the morning and in the late
afternoon.
For some perverse reason security vans are allowed into Tavern
Street at any time of day, and all and sundry can drive along the northern
part of Princes Street and return via Queen Street thus getting
unnecessarily close to the Cornhill and invading what should really be the
pedestrian space of Giles Circus.
By comparison with other East Anglian towns, Ipswich does not suffer major
congestion problems but like all busy places the radial routes into town are
busy in the rush hour. Differences are noticeable during school holidays -
an indicator that minor changes to commuting habits could make a significant
difference to Ipswich's congestion.
JOHN NORMAN, Vice-Chairman
11-15 Bedford Street
These three houses on the south side of the street (between Berners Street
and St George's Street) are in a poor state - one uninhabited, another
bedsits and the third lived in by a lady for most of her long life. All
three have been inspected and found to be "unfit for human habitation" in
accordance with the Housing Act 1985. The Council therefore has a statutory
duty to take action.
Part of the disrepair is due to some ongoing structural
movement, which an independent structural engineer has estimated will cost
£150,000 to rectify. Attempts to reach a consensus for Group Repair have not
been successful.
The Housing Department has therefore decided that
demolition is their only option to allow redevelopment. To this end they
have consulted local residents and held a public meeting. Their proposal
goes to the Executive Committee of IBC on 8 April 2003. This is a unique
situation in England. There are no compulsory demolition orders on housing
which could be restored in a Conservation Area.
The Society has been in
contact and supported the active local residents' group, attended the public
meeting and written letters. The Council say that all negotiations have
failed and that the order must go ahead unless a last minute solution is
found. We shall press for more time to find a less destructive solution.
MIKE COOK
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