Before the cars go

I have posted many photos of Ham Parade over the years which have focused on the shops, particularly as they change, and now it is time for the slip road on the east side to get some attention as plans are afoot to close it. Welcome news indeed!

Having a slip road between two pavements causes all sorts of problems, such as access to the bus stop and the pedestrian crossings, cars frequently parked at the crossing points, drivers using it as a way to avoid the traffic lights, and two pavements too narrow for easy passage.

 

The only consistent argument I have heard against the plans is that shops will lose business because of the reduced parking. This is hysterical nonsense.

There are two main reasons while this is nonsense. Firstly only a few places will be lost and as there are usually several spaces to park in now the actual reduction is parking will be little or none. Secondly, experiences elsewhere have consistently shown that making areas more attractive for people attracts more people and they spend more money. Shops actually do better in areas like this when they are pedestrianised, this will be particularly true for the several coffee shops on that side of the road.