A letter to the Editors of The Rugby Advertiser and The Rugby Observer from Bill Lewis

Dear Sir,

Rugby Borough Council, Rugby First and Warwickshire County Council are proposing a part pedestrianisation in Rugby, optimistically called the 'Rugby Town Centre Enhancement Scheme'. The Borough Council and the County Council will jointly provide the funding presently set at £1m.

The scheme has many shortcomings, like the inevitable increase in traffic on Railway Terrace (not acknowledged in the drawings for the scheme) and on Albert Street, Regent Place and Park Road. However, some of the supporting statements for the scheme, found on the County Council web site, state that it will allow better connection between the two sides of the town and also a larger civic space.

How is the connection between the two sides of the town going to be improved when the only safe way for pedestrians to cross from the Market Place to Regent Street will be when the traffic lights to be installed at both ends of a new single lane section of road are on red in both directions? This is exactly the same as the existing situation with the pedestrian crossing outside the church. All the scheme does, in effect, is to install a much 'wider' pedestrian crossing.

I have calculated the additional civic space generated by the scheme and this has been confirmed by official sources as 600m². Assuming the scheme costs the full £1m allocated to it then the price works out at £1,667 for every square metre of additional civic space. That's roughly four times the cost of a standard three lane motorway! Rugby will have the most expensive empty space outside of London!

Hold on though! That's not the end of the problem. The contribution of £500,000 from the County Council has been offered on a take it specifically for the part pedestrianisation or lose it basis. I understand that if the cash is not used for this scheme it will be withdrawn and may be used for other highway or environmental schemes which will not necessarily benefit Rugby.

How can Rugby Borough Council and Warwickshire County Council contemplate spending such a large sum of money for so little benefit to the residents of Rugby? I am sure we can all suggest far more deserving causes which would give far better value for money and provide assistance to those suffering hardship in these difficult times.

Regards,

Bill Lewis