By Matt Jarram, Local Democracy Reporter
Nottinghamshire County Council will decide whether to progress with the pedestrianisation of Central Avenue in West Bridgford by the end of 2021.
A decision will be made on whether to launch an £80,000 feasibility study looking at whether it is possible to completely pedestrianise West Bridgford’s main shopping street.
In the past, Rushcliffe Borough Council said there has been a desire among businesses to create “a pedestrian-based heart” in the town centre.
Plans could see the area free from buses and cars.
Businesses in Central Avenue and adjacent streets spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service about whether they thought the plans would work for them.
Jude Lyle, assistant general manager at Cote Brasserie, which has been on Central Avenue for around seven years, said: “I think it would be a good idea.
“I have seen people flying down here in their cars at night. I think we would get more people walking around who would stop by and have a drink and a coffee. The only problem would be for the buses.”
Paul Alexander, who has run toys, greetings cards and stationary shop Inspirations on Central Avenue for the last 20 years, said: “It would stop people driving down here at 100mph.
“Someone is going to get knocked over here. But if visitors come on a bus, and it drops them round the corner, some of the elderly people said they would not come here.
“I look at it both ways. What about the disabled drivers as well?”
Jonathan Hyman, who has owned No8 Delicatessen in Gordon Road for the last 20 years, said free parking was one of the biggest problems for visitors.
“If they want to attract people to shop they need to have more of a plan than pedestrianisation,” he said.
“People need the bus and if they are going to be further away from the shops will that stop certain people from getting here?
“The main thing is parking. They want to be able to park for an hour free not 30 minutes and we have been lobbying for that for a long time.”
Peri Theodosiou, owner of Fordes café in Tudor Square, believes the area has the potential to look like Hockley in the city centre, which is also pedestrianised.
“It is a good idea,” he said. “It will be a safer environment, less pollution and will be more cosmopolitan. It would be similar to Hockley, and it would really change the atmosphere.”
A Rushcliffe Borough Council spokesman said: “A survey completed by Central West Bridgford Community Association showed positive support for more focus on the pedestrianisation of Central Avenue.
“The Council’s West Bridgford Growth Board meetings to date and previous work with the West Bridgford Commissioners has referenced a desire to create a pedestrian based heart for the town centre and there is a consensus of support from local businesses for its potential.
“Any feasibility study would need to assess rerouting public transport and disability access and if positive, could lead to a capital project being developed.”
Nottinghamshire County Council said a report will come to committee in late 2021 to determine whether a feasibility study will be carried out to pedestrianise Central Avenue.
