We need vision for the decades ahead
Again our councils are making decisions the general public are unhappy about. We’ve had the fountain, the marina and now the bus station and a glass cube. The bus station decision appears to have been taken by those who do not use the bus. It is nonsense to move it to where people have to go outside and will not accommodate all of the required bays.
The current bus station is probably the biggest blot on Northampton’s landscape but surely something could be done to bring it into the 21st century.
These are difficult times, footfall in town and city centres everywhere is falling, we should be endeavouring to make our town centre attractive and welcoming with that little spark that makes visiting a pleasure rather than a chore.
Our greatest asset is the Market Square which has been ruined by successive councils and is now a shadow of its former self. It is a magnificent space and rivals piazzas and plazas around Europe. Encourage restaurants and coffee shops to move into the Market Square and make it a gastronomic paradise. They could be allowed to have large outside eating areas which would make the Square colourful and what is left of the trading market would use the space in the middle.
Re-model the bus station; if you redevelop you are taking more people out of the central area of the town. If you want to re-develop, knock down some of the ghastly buildings on Abington Street. This would encourage people to explore more of the town. Parts of Abington Street could be roofed over to make it a more pleasant environment.
It appears when a party gets into power they seem to grab the first hare-brained scheme that comes along. Councils need to have a vision for the future, not just the next few years but for the decades ahead.
Pamela Jackson,
Sarek Park, Northampton.
No need to scrap and start again
Greyfriars was an innovation when it was built. Northampton had the Derngate bus station. It was crowded and had a constant smell of fumes. It served the people and National Express, as it belonged to United Counties (come back, all is forgiven). People had to catch local buses at ‘on street’ barriers.
Greyfriars was built to keep passengers and buses separate until passengers needed to board. It was designed to allow fumes to dissipate rather than choking passengers. The waiting area is enclosed. There are also toilet facilities and somewhere to get a light snack.
The problems people complain about are petty. Can you find a better example of a bus station anywhere?
Ugly? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I suppose it must also apply to ugliness, but what an excuse to spend millions to get rid of a recently perceived eyesore and replace it with a smaller, less conveniently located one.
I have seen an exaggerated claim Greyfriars looks like the jaws of hell. If it is that bad, it is due to lack of maintenance. It needs better lighting and a reflective ceiling.
A new inadequate station will be foisted on us whether we want it or not. It will not be connected to the new Grosvenor Centre. Access will be across the roads buses will use to exit.
All this money is being spent in the name of progressing the town centre by providing enough space for a large store to be added to the Grosvenor Centre in the space currectly occupied by the bus station. How much space do they need? Is 170,000 square feet enough? That’s how much unused space there is above the bus station.
Access is a major problem, but creating some must be easier and cheaper than the current plans to scrap it all and start again.
Alan Skinner,
Wheatfield Road South, Northampton.
Look at other travel facilities
We, no doubt along with a host of other people, were pleased to see the bus station argument has advanced a step further, with the promise of a more open discussion with the local decision-making body.
The obvious solution, in general terms, has been repeatedly stated over the last few weeks and the following points have been continuously published:
The current bus station is in need of degree of improvement and change.
The current bus station is ideally placed and serves the town well.
The previous administration were short-sighted in their approach to bus station maintenance and gave the impression that use of public transport was limited to a small minority.
Current proposers of the Fish Market alternative are also tending to give this impression, and sadly, this appears to include two of our elected MPs. Have they actually experienced the use of the area’s bus services? These have improved over the last few years, but still need more commitment.
The Fish Market alternative would be a serious step backward,is costly, and is unlikely to work.
It would seem the majority (a good word - look it up) of the travelling public would prefer to see cost studies carried for a serious revamp of the existing bus station.
One aspect of this argument, which has not appeared in the press, is the examination of facilities in other communities, both in the UK and Europe. Again, we are probably being insular, as usual. As an example, look at Sunderland Interchange – town central, buses, rail, Metro (including link to nearest international airport) shops and restaurants/ cafes.
Bob Pitney,
Julian Way, Kingsthorpe, Northampton.
Figures are not all they seem
RE The ‘1 in 19 men out of work’ article (February 16). My hubby has been out of work for two-and-a-half years, he can’t claim anything as I work. Not entitled to JSA, or any help at all. He has worked all his life until the past few years and is now on the scrap heap at 51! So the unemployment figures are fabricated. There are plenty more in our position. It is getting worse not better. We have used all previous savings to keep a roof over our heads and I have worked all my last year’s holiday entitlement to pay the bills. I’m a HCA at the general hospital. My hubby would like to do fork lift training to open his options for employment but I can’t fund the £350 for the course. We have tried for unemployment training but they just say no.
Chris Nash,
Cliftonville, Northampton.
Blown away by performance
I would like to commend Masque Theatre on their production of Scaramouche Jones which I saw last Friday at Moulton Theatre. I was not aware how powerful, moving, heartbreaking and interesting the story is and I was blown away by Richard Jordan’s sensitive, revealing performance. It was a marvellous feat to be able to hold the stage for 90 minutes (with no interval) and keep the audience’s attention which is testament to both the play and the actor. Mention must also be made to Kate Billingham for her subtle and thoughtful direction. I had to wipe away many a tear but it’s a show that will stay with me for a very long time. There is amazing talent in local theatre.
I have been a Masque member for 23 years and feel proud to be associated with this group.
Emma Payne,
Westone, Northampton.
Recycling works
There has been a lot of comments about the new food recycling bins and as ever plenty of moans. It is a new initiative and one we should all be trying in a bid to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. It’s a little ironic that prior to these new food bins, food waste would have been placed in the normal bins which are only collected fortnightly and most of the moans are about lingering smells. These new food bins are collected weekly, so the food waste is not sitting around for two weeks anymore. Since the transfer of waste collections moved to Enterprise I have to say we have encountered no problems whatsoever and the weekly recycling collections has meant we are recycling more and wasting less, so it has been a good move by the council.
Lee Wade,
Oakwood Road, Phippsville, Northampton.
l Editor’s note: We would like to clarify that contrary to a letter in yesterday’s ViewPoint, the bus station webchat will take place on Friday at 11am at www.northamptonchron.co.uk
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