Rugby Liberal Democrats Response to "The Future of Rugby Borough - Consultation"

1.12.59pm GMT Sat 22nd Nov 2008

Rugby transport systems needs more consideration for the Way Forward for Rugby.

Rugby Liberal Democrats have released the results of their consultation on the paper 'Rugby - The Way Forward'

The following is their report. More information can be obtained from info@rugbylibdems.org.uk

Preface

We must say that we totally disagree with the Government proposals on which the Consultation document has had to be based,

The government proposals are not strategically sound nor long-term. The concept that significant housing growth percentages can simply be bolted on to any existing urban settlements ignores fundamental problems.

Corresponding infrastructure percentages not in the new growth areas are not simply produced. We refer to roads, hospitals, ambulance services, schools, police and fire stations, public transport and cultural and sporting facilities, And while the extra infrastructure is added that existing has to be updated and amended.

Furthermore, the effects on the rural green belt and open spaces generally are not even considered in the broad brush instruction "add on 25% more housing".

Obviously we cannot develop our views further in this document as it would be inappropriate - we propose to raise the matter with a resolution to the Party's National Conference.

Comments on the consultation document for Rugby

The Community Strategy and its six themes.

It is not possible to take any exception to these rather cosy themes other than there is no flesh on their bones, or rather because there is no flesh on their bones.

"Stronger Community". How are "Rugby residents going to feel part of the community" and "influence local services"? Will the Council and other bodies communicate more, consult, and act more transparently?

We see that "Cultural, Recreational and community facilities are to thrive and meet local needs". Does this mean for one thing, a new and larger swimming pool and sports centre? Elsewhere it is proposed to pull down the old Granada Cinema, with its uses extended it would be an excellent cultural facility. There is a conflict of visions here, Other community facilities should also be pursued -youth clubs, senior citizens clubs etc.

2"Safer Community" All the key desired outcomes specified require more vigorous upholding of the law and therefore more police or support officers; are these to be supplied? Yet the "thriving diverse night time town centre economy" entails drinking, more policing and a less safe town centre. This is now nationally acknowledged.

3"Children and Young People" Again, to achieve the desired outcomes, greater resources than are currently available in some areas will clearly need to be deployed. Otherwise the vision is not meaningful. Will the County increase schools expenditure? How will opportunities for leisure activities and sport be increased?.

4"Economic Development and Enterprise". Rugby requires that new high-quality high technology businesses be sought out and persuaded to come here. In future workers will not want nor be able to commute long distances to work. Making Rugby attractive is not enough - otherwise we will end up as a soulless dormitory town with people moving away to where the jobs are. Developing tourism to bring more visitors and money plus supporting jobs into the town is needed.

Public transport. An effective and attractive system will not be achieved by scattering few more wet and windy bus stops about. A central bus station is needed ( with public toilets!) and passenger friendly shelters elsewhere.

5"Climate Change and the Environment" We believe that all existing green spaces must be retained not just currently managed ones. This is important throughout the town and especially in the rural areas where the loss of a vitally placed field could be extremely detrimental.

The Core Strategy

We suspect the 25% increase in housing could well amount to 30% and an even greater population growth although this will not make the problems significantly different.

We cannot understand why the brown field sites of the former Ansty and Lawford aerodromes have been ignored as potential development sites especially as the latter is on the new western relief road. It is notable that the new road has been left off the map entirely.

We cannot find a mention of the need to keep the standard of design of new housing developments to a high level in appearance terms. Curving sight lines, mixed house designs, green spaces, trees, should echo some of the more attractive aspects of Rugby. Fitting housing developments into the main rural settlements will entail more sympathetic approaches.

The town centre. We are amazed that changes to the centre are being contemplated before traffic trafiic problems are addressed. Rugby's traffic system pivots around the gyratory. Can a 30% increase on the gyratory be tolerated? Elsewhere the situation will be worse. Six thousand plus houses and businesses beyond Hillmorton for instance must surely absolutely choke Hillmorton Road.

We believe that an additional way into the town centre will be needed. The proposed pedestrianisation around the Clock Tower shuts off Clifton Road and will make the present situation worse,

A fundamental rethink of the boundaries, layout and especially access into the town centre is needed taking into account car parking, public transport and cycle access. We are not convinced that the proposed expansion of the town retail centre will be fully required. Rugby has never been large enough to attract large stores and relatively this will still be true. Internet internet shopping is steadily increasing and concept of High Street shopping is changing. A positive bid to attract small shops to the town could make it more attractive to visitors.

CONCLUSION

We criticise the Consultation Document for totally lacking in specific objectives to achieve its visions. We note that in so doing it avoids the contemplation of` how its visions will be financed and by whom. It is unlikely that developers' money can finance the visionary changes needed. We are thus sceptical that the Consultation's ideas will realised.

We also are not clear by what authority these visions will be driven through to reality. Will the Rugby Local Strategic Partnership behind this Consultation Document have the strong leadership and teeth to make all of it happen, in proper sequence? A large number of different types and sizes of organisations will have to march boldly in step. If not the development of Rugby will be a ragbag of some things some badly done, and some not achieved at all, rather reflecting some existing situations in Rugby.

We draw together some of our comments to make the following two major points

l. Development of Rugby hinges on a successful redesign of` its patterns pattrns. The West Coast main railway line is a ligature around the throat of development. Yet the proposed new housing developments are both north of the line while the town centre is south of it. Hence the need for a new road into the town centre from the Post Office site under or over the main railway line.

Obviously any town centre reshaping will need to take into account possible longer term town growth in the south-west /Cawston direction, We must reiterate here our concern over proper public transport and car parking provision.

2.Employment opportunities in an enlarged Rugby need to be maximised; in the long term a dormitory town will fail. Apart from actively seeking the establishment of new high-technology industries we think Rugby should seize the chance to make itself a centre of sporting excellence. We need a new sports centre anyway The new provision should include an Olympic pool, running track and space for field events.

The region is short of these facilities, sport is a growth area and Rugby's communications make it ideally placed. The new provision would bring in visitors and trade, with employment in new catering and hotel establishments

Finally it should be said there is a great deal in the Consultation document which we accept and approve. This response only picks out areas where we have great concerns.

Members of the Rugby Liberal Democrat Study Group are-

Robin Aird Phyllis Allen Michael Elford Tom Hardgrave

Dorothy Neville Ted Pallot Stan Williams