General Discussion
Just had a look around and cannot see which if any of the three schemes proposed is actually being carried out. It looks like they are just constructing a new footpath on the lawn side. Which is just wasting the money and isent going to address the parking issues or going to attract any new business. What happened to the herringbow parking scheme which was voted in favor of.
They where unable to put in parking because of the trees so they said, so there will only be parking down one side cutting parking by half. In my view its all a waste of time half the parking half the shoppers or am i missing something. At the end of the day Sainsburys has plenty of parking so go there when its impossible to park in the Strand and that is exactly what will happen.
I cannot fathom it out neither, it looks like theyve narrowed the road completely, I was under the impression parking was going to be on lawnside and get out onto the path (reason for wall removal) and then increase the width of the path on shop side. None of this looks like it will be happening confused.com
I bloody hate Sainsburys and want to buy my meat from the butchers along with veg from Stokes, why oh why should I be forced to do more mileage on my carbon footprint to go to bloody Sainsburys !!!!
1.7 million pounds wasted on constructing a footpath that without shops and parking will never be used, sounds about right for our three levels of council planning.
As for shopping at Sainsbury's or any other supermarket well thats just "horseplay" when are people going to realise that everything these companies do is designed to make huge profits for themselves and nothing else. Their fresh produce is hardly that when its travelled half way round the world, their fuel is rubbish, they blackmail suppliers, close down any local competition and have got so big now that they can even hold the country to ransom.
Anyway back to the Town which is looking like becoming as Lynn has pointed out just a residential area with a big lawn.
Just an idea but re-instating/re-locating a few shops down the Warren might be a good alternative.
Just bought a DVD from Sainsbury's because there were huge ads outside saying it was £7*! (James Bond, Skyfall).
Now, the ' * ' is the critical bit! In small print it says that you have to spend £30+ and then you can have it for £7!
Well I spent £30+ but what they didn't say (and I didn't realise until after I'd got home and given it to my son) was that the £30 spend cannot include the film. Perhaps I was being naive because a) I didn't read about the £30 spend and b) it wouldn't have occurred to me that I actually would have to spend £37 to get it for £7!!! Because I didn't check my receipt it cost me £14.99.
To me it's 2 levels of deception so will be going back to Tesco's!
Would someone representing any level of council please post on here a brief breakdown of how the new Strand footpath has cost 1.7 million pounds. If it has then someone has been ripped off, because it certainly isent looking value for money. If it hasent then what is the rest of the granted money being spent on? Thank you.
As the saying goes in America "you have been sold a bill of goods" in other words ripped of. I totally agree with FredBasset. The only Herringbone parking you are going to see will be on a fish.
@ Fred, none of the schemes had herringbone parking because to do it would have meant building out into the flower beds some sort of raised platform which was far too costly.
lets just hope this will be better than the last balls up done, at least this had some consultation unlike the previous scheme!!!
@Duckileaks. sorry but i definatley remember the three options which i and others were asked to vote on and the one i selected had herringbone parking on the lawn side. i also remember the majority result which was also in favor of this scheme.
We have been sold short once again and no one responsible will comment again as usual.
I for one think the money saved from undercutting the Strand project has been diverted into renovating the manor house.
I have sent the following message to the Devon County Council team overseeing the Strand Contract, I will post the reply I receive.
Sorry, but I find it amazing that people are too lazy to walk to the shops and worry about where they are going to park their car in the Strand.
It only takes a couple of minutes to walk from Barton car park to the Strand, so why the fuss? No wonder people are getting fat.
When the Strand was closed a few weeks ago I parked in Brunswick took my shopping trolley and walked across to the Strand, Butchers, Stokes then Coop by now after having to wait in a long queue my 40p had run out, with bated breath I walked as quick as I could back to my car, I was 20mins over my time and was lucky not to have been ticketed. 40p I find reasonable but £1 NO. I am a busy working 64and a half year old with arthritis in my knees and will be forced to go elsewhere if I can not park in the Strand and support the local shops and I am one of many who feel like this.
Hi Carer, I would just like to say that i am not fat , i have never parked my car in The Strand as i prefer to walk but i also like FredBassett would like to know why it's costing so much.
Any chance of someone taking some more pic's of the progress so far. A miles away from Dawlish at the moment and would love to see an update.
Thanks in advance.
@Carer & wondering
We seem to be straying away from the topic again. Its not about walking, parking etc. Its about the voted for schemes which where drawn up with a budget of 1.7 million pounds not being implemented, and being replaced with nothing more than a useless footpath which goes nowhere the existing one didnt. Plus the fact that what we have been supplied with has certainly not cost the full amount allocated and so what has happened to the rest of the money. Mr Clayson has latched onto what the issue is and has paseed the book to DCC as usual, obviously in an effort to deter fingers being pointed at Dawlish town council.
Ok have removed but I do agree with Carer. Well this is related...I think the changes in the Strand were needed 10 years ago, all too late now.
@Fredbasset: It seems perfectly reasonable to me that a town councillor (Cllr Clayton in this instance) has done as you requested in your posting above in that he is trying to get answers to your question. When we get those answers, and he has said he will post on here whatever the response is that he gets, then we will know in which direction fingers should be pointed (assuming of course that fingers will need pointing).
Why don't you (and others of you expressing concern about this) contact County Cllr John Clatworthy? Or contact the local paper and ask them to investigate?
@Brazilnut ..when i said 'removed' it was re the posting i deleted re freds posting where i agreed with carer... i cant believe what people say is logged two uears ago!....but well yes there is life outside dawlish and stand by what i said... shall now get told off again for off topic. oh joy happy dawlish.
It would appear to me that the plan that I remember with parking on the lawn side of the Strand has been abandoned as there is a foot path being laid on the lawn side. If the path is to be widened on the shop side I do not think there will not be room for parking spaces.
Hurray Kenny, somebody who thinks like me, they have started the path halfway into what was the parallel parking spaces and not where the wall came down as was originally shown. When the path is widened on shop side there will be no room for parking, which is what they bloody wanted in the first place, pedestrianisation by the back door, Sainsburys will be happy cos thats what they wanted. All the Strand will be is a through road, poor shops, they suffered the 2 weeks of the closure looks like more will closedown now
It's 1.5million being spent isn't it, not 1.7million
http://www.dawlishnewspapers.co.uk/news.cfm?id=533
this of any help?
http://www.dawlish.gov.uk/edit/uploads/strandproposedworksthestrand1032.pdf
and according to this there should be loading bays and car parking on the shop side of the Strand
Dont forget the £200,000 from Sainsbury's section 106 agreement + the 1.5 million from DCC = 1.7 million.
Having read back through my own notes, the public vote went against the councils preferance for full pedestrianisation of the Strand followed by a highways report saying there was no viable alternative traffic route.
So what it seems we are getting is a back door attempt to remove parking thus decreasing traffic with a narrowing of the road to provide the new footpath, all of which will no doubt lead to a future attempt to once again restrict traffic from the Strand.
However as I have reminded the point is that we are not getting value for money and what is being done bears no resembelence to any of the public voted projects.
I walked down the Strand both yesterday and today and it's interesting that with the wind coming off the sea the wind chill factor for pedestrians seems to have risen now shrubbery, trees and wall have been removed. It's pretty bleak now for people wanting to browse the shops or even for the famous cafe society which they're trying to promote in the town.
I think the 200 thousand is part of the 1.5 million, I am waiting to see the cost breakdown ( if it is ever supplied) from DCC.
It's Option B that's being built, isn't it?
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/environmentplanning/planning-system/urban_design/dawlishstrand.htm
I have just been in e-mail contact with Cllr Clatworthy about the parking. He tells me that when complete there will be parking on the side opposite the shops (by which I believe he means the side adjacent to the shops) and that the first 30 minutes will be free.
So, I suggest that if anyone wants to know anymore (like how many parking spaces and where exactly they will be located) they contact him direct or any of these below.
If you have any concerns about the Enhancement of The Strand please contact:
Arron Carpenter, Site Manager, Devon County Council: 01392 382475 Emma Kay, Town Centre Development Manager: 07841 114341 David Force, Dawlish Chamber of Trade: 01626 772671
Kenny, Why not ask the question (re cost of works) using the following FREE to register and use.
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/?gclid=CL_XiKOSzLUCFUfMtAodAU0Aew
"Sorry, but I find it amazing that people are too lazy to walk to the shops and worry about where they are going to park their car in the Strand.
It only takes a couple of minutes to walk from Barton car park to the Strand, so why the fuss? No wonder people are getting fat."
I consider myself 'disabled' at times but can't get a badge because it only affects me intermittently. I had a car crash in Hong Kong in 1991 which knackered my back. I was on duty in the British Army at the time. Although it was stated that my injury (caused by rear end shunt and no fault of my own) could affect me for the rest of my life I received no compensation. I do get £25 a week 'war pension' which doesn't go very far.
On most days I can't walk around a supermarket without losing all feeling in my legs let alone walking from the Barton Car Park to say Lloyds Bank.
Lack of parking in The Strand will force me, and more like me, to shop out of town.
Seeing as you didn't realise that there are people like me on the planet perhaps you should consider changing your handle from 'Carer'!
PS. I am pretty/very fat!!!! But then... there's no bullying/taunting on here is there?
Signed: Lazy Git!
@HuwMathews2
You obviously have a complex and seem to think that I am picking on you and others out who are a bit on the large size and think that I have something against that.
Do you know me? NO you dont, and like yourself, I too am on the large side, partially disabled and have problems with MY back, but that doesn't stop me from wallowing in self pity and walking that little bit extra to get some sort of exercise and achieve some sort of level of fitness, so instead of slagging me off and saying that I should change my name from carer, I suggest that you stop feeling sorry for yourself and get to know people better before forming your own conclusion as to what they are like.
Also, would you like to explain how you consider my original statement to be bullying/taunting, and to who exactly?
PS.
FYI, I DO understand that there are people who are unfortunately at no fault to themselves who are large, but then, there are many more who through their own fault that are large and are in a position to do something about it.
I apologise if you think that my original statement was aimed at you directly.
I actually agree with what Huw has said, many people suffer a disability which is not obvious but affects them never the same, as Ive said to you I still work and during the coarse of the day get a great deal of excercise in my occupation, but by the time Ive finished doing 7hrs physical work Ive neither the time or inclination to take a stroll to the shops and trudge back with heavy bags which puts a strain on my arthritis( knees and back). I agree excercise helps these conditions but not over excessive . I am also on the large side but am quite active.
No matter what you think people will go where they can park and shop its todays society thats why these out of town shopping centres thrive. Take the parking from the Strand and the shops will die!! simples
Dawlish hasn't got the greatest access to the shops for disabled people. My father only lives a 'normal' 10 minute walk from the town centre but we can't get the manual wheelchair down past Leroys (as it was) due to the narrow pavements and hill. Going along the high street you still have to negotiate Queen's Street. Parking outside the shops is the only way we can do it but without a blue badge but when they changed the old way of parking in the Strand years ago and ruined it the first time they made the spaces virtual impossible to get in and out of if you have mobility problems. The tarmacing is appalling in both the carpark up near what was Barclays (you can see I live in the past!) and in Bartons so if you have mobility issues god help you.
Considering the aging population more thought needs to be put into access starting from parking, getting into shops (have you tried getting into the opticians with someone in a wheelchair?) and then negotiating the shops. This is another of the reasons for out of town shopping = stress levels!
Hi let me address the issues with handicapped access to wherever it is. This country is so concerned about health and safety in every aspect, the work place, what you can and can't do the list can go on forever. Health and safety bring in ridiculous restrictions such as you can't play conkers without safety classes on. But where is health and safety when it comes to the handicapped or disabled to access offices, shops, ect. ect. I was once in Trago Mills and i asked "why don't you have bigger shopping carts instead of the little things you pull around with space for only one item". The answer i was given is that health and safety wouldn't allow bigger carts in their store. So what's my point you may ask. Complain and complain to health and safety that the handicapped access is non excistent. With all this work going on in the Strand now is the opportunity to voice, no demand, that access is made possible for those that need it the most. Now i'm sure most would agree, well at least in think so. I have spent 30 years in America and my views may differ with a lot of people, but in America all towns and cities were mandated to make everything accessible for the handicapped and disabled. Once in London i was saddened to witness a man with one leg on crutches trying to walk down steps where there was no elevator, sorry lift, for this person to use. I say again complain,complain, and complain again. Make your voice heard.
Slightly off topic again but worthy of comment non the less.
In this country we are or have created a situation where if you want to do anything that involves members of the public either as employees or customers you have to go to a lot of extra expense to cater for minority groups.
Unfortunateley this situation is not sustainable and will have to change or small medium businesses and contractors will cease to exist.
30 years ago we had unions and staff training both of which promoted health and safety with the main point being self responsibility. A union member carried a card to say they where skilled and worked in a manor which was safe for them and others. Qualified staff also got a higher rate of pay for the same reason. We didnt need to fill out a thirty page risk assesement or watch a bloody DVD on how not to fall off a ladder.
Now, if an idiot has and accident which he/she could have avoided its someone elses fault. Things are pretty much the same with disabled facilities. If it is imperative that a disabled person uses a service or enters a building then anything needed to provide such should be financed by the NHS or another public body. However its usually the business or service itself that has to pay, i.e. special doors, ramps, toilets, and other fixtures and fittings.
We need to get back to a sensible system here if you need a wheelchair dont go to a place with steps and then moan because there isent a ramp. Its all about Common Sense.
It may be slightly of topic. But when the Strand is finished will there be ramps so that a wheel chair has access to the pavement? we don't know do we in fact nobody knows what is going on with the regeneration. I thought the excisting pavement where the shops are long the Strand were going to be replaced ?
There are several crossing points in the design between the two pavements, and of course they are disabled friendly. The shops pavement is to be wider. Suggest anyone with questions contacts arron.carpenter@devon.gov.uk or rings 08451551004 as per the public information signs down on the Strand.
I've posted this already but I'll do it again.
If you have any concerns about the Enhancement of The Strand please contact:
Arron Carpenter, Site Manager, Devon County Council: 01392 382475 Emma Kay, Town Centre Development Manager: 07841 114341
I think I can safely go and scrap all my computers and cancel my internet.
Clearly the anonomous "Fred Basset" has the answer to everything and will be runniung for council at the next opportunity 
No he wont, well not in Dawlish anyway couldnt put up with all the back handed crap that goes on. I dont know everything, but Im not stupid and I go around with my eyes open without blinkers. Ordinary people put up with to much when it comes to being ripped off and conned by others in positions of trust and authority
I am probably wrong but I thought the revised plans show steps going into the Lawn area from The Strand crossing points?
Hi Huw, I am looking at the copy of the revised Strand plans that are on the Town Council website. There are steps and at one location ramped access to the Lawn, and these coinicde with the raised table connecting the two pavements. However the connection points are at the rear of the new Lawn Pavement and so there shouldn't be a problem. Given the duties imposed by the Equality legislation I am confident that the engineers will have planned this carefully. If you want more information it might be as well to contact Arron Carpenter, from the DCC Engineering Design Group. His contact details are shown in earlier posts.
As usual the post has been hi-jacked by baffling bullshitters, why we have to go through all this just to get the main points answered is beyond belief.
WHY ARE WE NOT GETTING WHAT WE VOTED FOR?
HOW AS A NEW FOOTPATH TO NO WHERE COST 1.7 MILLION POUNDS
@Fred - As well as posing your questions on here, I am just curious to know if you have asked them anywhere else/of anyone else? If so, whom have you contacted? Would you mind letting us know? I only ask as it seems no-one who posts on this thread can answer your concerns and I for one (and I expect others who post on here as well) would love to know how you are trying to get answers and then, on from that, what the answers are that you have been given.
Also, this what we all voted on thingy. As I remember it, the vote was between full pedestrianisation or plan B. A total of 301 people voted (out of a potential what? 12,000 or so electors?) and out of that 301 was it not the case that 150 people voted for full pedestrianisation and 151 for plan B? Has plan B been altered then? I am genuinely asking as I have to confess that my time has been taken up with other things of late and I have lost track of what it was finally decided should happen given the location of tree roots/diseased trees and goodness knows what else.
WoW ! What's got up Fred's pants " hi-jacked by baffling bullshitters" ?? Is he talking about the people that post on here? If so, he is not the only one that has an opinion on the subject. 301 people voted that's only a 2.5% turnout.
I remember the voting went in favour of non-pedestrianisation as you described, which meant one of the three plans was totally discounted straight away. Out of the remaining two plans the one with most in favour was the one with herringbow parking on the lawn side and a widened footpath with disabled features on the shop side.
My opinon for what its worth is that the issues with trees, roots, flooding, and all the rest where excuses put in place for the following reason.
A large chunk of the grant money was spent on multiple commitee meetings, preparing artists impressions, fancy leaflets, consultants, specialists, you name it. This in turn having the effect that the remaining money was insurficient for a contractor to provide what was on the original plan.
Hencewhat we get is a watered down version bearing no resemblence to anything previousely discussed, with less parking than we had and a duplicate footpath leading nowhere only 2 -metres higher than the existing one.
To sum up a total waste of time and money and nothing but a back door 1st stage to full pedestrianisation.
I truly believe that the whole thing quite laughable and agree with Fred on his last comment. The towns people of Dawlish have had the wool pulled over thier eyes (once again) oh and don't forget the Manor has to be re-furbished no doubt money has been skimmed of to pay for that. With regards the new foot path leading to nowhere it may need to have railings put up for fear of someone falling down and landing on the OTHER FOOTPATH leading through the lawn under the tree's. I must admit though at the moment it looks like a jigsaw perhaps when it's finished we may be happily surprised one hopes only to find that there a few pieces of the jigsaw missing.
Sorry to say this but the whole project has come too late both for the shops
and getting consumers back.
No surprise there then. Dont look like Councillor Clayson has had one either. Authority silent treatment is their usual way of hoping we go away. Wait till the contractors have finished I feel me a parking protest comming on with a couple of carefully placed commercial vehicles, anyone else up for for it?
The remaining shops need to make themslves aware of whats going on here. Pedestrianisation by the back door and as Lynne as hinted all in an effort to make the area totally residential and a sunny safe place for the elderly to watch the bowling in peace and quiet.
Bet there is no new bandstand, kiddies playpark or anything else and watch for forthcoming restrictions on the annual Carnival and Fun fair.
Towns with pedestranistation are better towns to shop in. You all seem to be obsessed with your car!
There has been several consultation exercises in The Strand over the past few years and constant liaison with the Chamber of Trade.
Thanks
Ian
This is a bit tongue in cheek but I suggest we go down and measure the width of the road in the areas where the shop side pavement has been widened and see how much room there will be for parking.
@wondering as has been said many many times to you( who doesnt live in dawlish and was glad to be out of it) cars to some are a total neccessity, i cant work without mine and i havnt time to stroll to the bloody shops so i will go where i can park conveniently, same as many others, death of the strand. when i eventually retire maybe i will catch train/bus to go on my shopping trip as i will have all the time in the world then, thats if i live that long the way this country is going
Reply received today
Thanks for your email, with regards to the number of parking spaces available in The Strand after construction finishes, will be 34no. this number includes all types of parking, so disabled, and loading bays (which most allow parking too). The parking will be all along the shop side, very similar to the current arrangements. All parking along The Lawns side has been removed.
Hope that helps, please get back in touch if you require any further information.
I personally feel it would have benefited Dawlish if that dirty looking excuse for a snack bar next to the beach was demolished and rebuilt. It looks awful, stinks of dog pi$$ and I pity anyone that eats from it. I imagine it's privately owned and in which case the council should step in and force whoevers hand it is to bring it up to scratch.
All that cracked and half repaired concrete does not help either.
Also did I hear correct somewhere that a playpark was not built next to the bowling green due to the fear of noisey children? Please correct me if I am wrong.
I think it should be remembered that this is a work in progress. It is therefore vital to wait until the work is complete before dismissing it as a waste of money. There will be parking in the Strand, in the Strand carpark and in the Co-op carpark for those wanting a short visit; there is parking on Brunswick Place; the Bartons carpark and Network Rail carpark for long-stay visitors. The town bus visits most parts of the town for those who don't want to drive.
The whole point behind the work is to create a better shopping environment. The existing street and footpath lay-out was appalling, so doing nothing wasn't an option.
As and when Teignbridge come up with a scheme to improve the Lawn with a children's play area, we can really push Dawlish as a destination of choice for daytrippers as well as holidaymakers.
Would people please try to look at this positively. Dawlish is a wonderful place to live and to visit. We are trying to make it even better so quit sniping and start supporting what Devon County Council, Teignbridge and Dawlish Town Council are trying to achieve.
Dawlish is certainly a wonderful place to live and I doubt anyone would deny that, however we have recently been beset by a series of rubbish decisions by our governing Councils who basically dont listen to what the people ask of them.
Take the Manor house/Sally Army building Fiasco, The over development of the Gateshouse Area granted by planners. The lack of investment demanded For the Sainsbury's development a mere £200,000 when other authorities have gained millions. The Amber Coast projects. The crumbling roads. These are just examples.
Now we have the Strand development, "creating a better shopping environment". Dont you need shops for that? Instead we get a footpath that runs parallel to the existing one and leads from a Charity shop to a Taxi office with nothing in between. The lawn will never have a playpark or anything else as it as been officially classified as a high risk flood area by the Environment Agency.
If the affore mentioned councils really want to make Dawlish better, try doing what the people want instead of what other towns have tried to do, and in most instances failed.
Perhaps @Manof theBrook you could answer the two main points at the start of this post.
Why are we not getting what we voted for, and how is it costing 1.7 million pounds. This post is now 2-weeks old and we still dont have the answers. Only book pushing as usual.
@MRB to answer your two questions
(1) The kiosk on the seafront. I have been told by Teignbridge Officers that it is a private contractual relationship between Network Rail and the tenant. I'm not aware of any power to enforce a private owner (Network Rail) or their Tenant to re-decorate the exterior of the building.
(2) Teignbridge District Council have promised to consult the people of Dawlish about improvements to the Lawn following completion of the Strand works. This may or may not include a childrens play park adjacent to the Bowling Green. I am told nothing has been ruled in or out
Don't get me started. The rate their going the work will not be finished untill July. I see the workers turn up about 7:30-8am with very little accomplished as the workers are normally gone by midday. And what a place to put what i see as an electrical box, looks like a tombstone.
I asked Teignbridge Council last week about the sarcophagus like structure that has appeared by the phone box. It is a temporary installation built by British Telecom to protect their equipment during the Strand works. It will be removed when no longer required and the ground re-levelled. I did suggest that a public notice be put up to explain the rather unusual structure in that location, and will chase this up.
Probably wont make any difference but the powers at be need to remember that last weekend was the official start of the tourist season for our town and surrounding area. It is also a mere three weeks to the Easter holiday.
What a delightful welcome our visiters are about to encounter. The main road in partially blocked and likely to cause damage to one or two caravans, and the town centre looking like a war zone. The roads are covered in mud from all the building and railway embankment works, the grass verges are yet to be mowed, Barton and Sandy lane car parks both blocked with contractors equipment and materials.
There is one good point - The way out to Teignmouth is clear, where there is plenty of free parking, some remaining shops, a good playpark and seafront walk that isent crumbling away and a coach park close to the action.
"There is one good point - The way out to Teignmouth is clear, where there is plenty of free parking, some remaining shops, a good playpark and seafront walk that isent crumbling away and a coach park close to the action."
Agreed the difference between the two is tremendous, with a little work Dawlish sea front could also be as clean and welcoming.
The only similarities are the dog poo! :)
Oh and @michaelclayson thanks for the swift reply.
Why not along the sea front down at the end The turning circle is big enough for a coach to turn I also think that in the winter period the parking along there should be free, as it is on the Den in Teignmouth.
Well said . Its pretty easy to work out isent it, that is unless you work for the authorities maybe the money saved from the Strand can be put into improving the access onto Marine Parade Think thats what its called).
A coach park on the seafront where you suggest would be an eyesore. What about the railway car park, it seems to stretch quite a way back and doesn't impede any views. Might be a bit tricky for a coach to manoeuvre up there tho.
Don't see that it is only coaches parking, station car park is out not enough turning.Only change needed is to make the turning into Marine Parade easier
A request was posted on this site for a brief breakdown of the costs for the Strand project
I undertook to pass on the question to Devon County Council, and have now received the following reply
Works (Construction) Costs = 17%
Materials = 60%
Statutory Undertakers Work = 9%
Street Lighting Work = 10%
Street Furniture = 4%
Thank you for passing on the info received. Does the Statutory Undertakers Work include planning, administration and consultations prior to the commencement of works.
Or is it something to do with the death of the town others on hear talk about
10% of £1.7 million for street lighting, blimey cant wait to see these, at that price we must be in for a treat wont need any additional Christmas lights then this year
So over £1 million on materials. But damn fine paving slabs they are too, all grey and smooth and characterless. Could have put a row of terraced houses on there instead.
I like the look but I have issues! (Well, we all knew that!).
I drove down the Strand on Sunday and there were quite a few people about which surprised me.
The problem was that most (at least 75%) were using the new footpath (not officially opened yet) which did not allow them to browse the shop windows as they were doing so.
I fear that we have created a 'style over content' project which only creates another footpath to the same destination as the other two did...only further away from the shop fronts.
I hope that this is just a 'I'm going to use the new path' phenomenon but I'm worried that it won't be. I hope the traders were fully aware of the plans as they are being implemented. My view currently is: Great look for Dawlish but a nail in the coffin for the traders. I really do hope I'm wrong.
Last week and the beginning of this week very rarly do you see anyone doing any constructive work on the new so called ( regeneration). Typical British work ethic one person working and three or four standing watching, having a smoke, on their mobile phones. This Sunday the 24th is Easter and hopefully the weather will be pleasant. But what will visitors face if they come to Dawlish. A HUGE MESS. These works will not be finished nowhere on time i estimate June/July or maybe August. I hope i'm wrong. Sorry Easter is the 31st.
I walked down The Strand this morning, the new paving looks great, will be very nice in the summer.
Clearly they are doing their best to reduce disruption by completing sections of paving rather than doing the whole Strand at once.
Excellent job.
This is my first posting here. I have spent some time reading the posts and I'd just like to chime in. The other day I had to help an eldery resident navigate the disgraceful way the pavement has been chopped up. Both sides of the street have been disrupted and in one case, there is no pavement at all, forcing people to walk in the street. It wasn't easy to make it possible for this woman to walk, either. Several trucks continued to barrel down the street and only a woman driver actually stopped to allow her with her walker to safely reach the mud strewn lawn walkway. Further up the street, there appears to be a pattern of dodge the car while you walk back and forth across the street on the walkways that have been completed. Has nothing been thought out in advance?
I do agree that this appears to be the first backdoor step to pedestrianizing The Strand and I believe it will kill off whatever shops remain, albeit far too many of them charity shops. Isn't there some kind of council limit on how many of those that are allowed?
Would you prefer empty shops then? No new business's are prepared to come in and take over the empty shops other than charities. Banks are not lending even if there were individuals that wish to run a shop in the Strand they could not obtain a loan.
The charities can provide the backing and organisation when opening and running a shop. These shops benefit from local peoples donations and generate affordable goods for not only local people but visitors to purchase. Also these shops are an essential method to recycle clothing, bric-a-brac, DVD/CD's, furniture etc avoiding unnecessary waste and fly tipping and most importantly fund the charities great work.
Observe the amount of coaches that visit the town virtually all year round and the visitors make for the charity shops. The other shops and cafe's benefit from this as well.
It's not everyone who can afford to buy brand new products and more and more people who can do it on line! Thus evenmore reason not to take the risk in opening a business even if you had the means to. Without shops whether charity or otherwise these coach operators would by pass Dawlish and go elsewhere. Many visitors already do this as they are harrassed by the Teignbridge Community Enforcement Officers when parking up in Dawlish.
As somebody else said earlier, the proliferation of charity shops signifies a dying town. That's what we have here and, I'm afraid, no amount of walkways is going to change that at this point. Money would have been better spent to beautify the town or make more/better attractions for both the visitors and the people who live here year round. It certainly feels as though the permanent residents are at the bottom of the list of whose opinions matter and whose needs should be met.
By the way, is anything supposed to be done around the perimeter of the lawn itself to minimize the muddy mess that is created whenever it rains?
Well, if a proliferation of charity shops signifies a dying town then there must be oodles of dying towns in GB right now.
Dawlish is not alone with having charity shops.
Let's take a look at Topsham. Chelsea by the Sea I understand is an alternative name for it.
I went there about six weeks ago. Had an interesting time looking around which included having a mooch around its four charity shops and its one dress agency (dress agency = euphemisim for second hand clothes shop).
Ruddy hell, something nice is happening to the town and people are moaning, to be expected I guess.
I say shut up and wait until it is done, then we can all enjoy it in pure bliss.
@Paul. thank you. here here! if there wasn't money being spent people would have something to moan about. ffs wait until its finished!
