Concerns over bridge plans raised
9:18am Wednesday 14th May 2008
STROUD Chamber of Commerce could withdraw from the Concordat group over fears that roadworks at the town's busiest junction could damage business.
Some traders fear that plans to build a new bridge at the intersection of the A46 and the A419 at Merrywalks could cause up to 12 months of gridlock.
But Stroud District Council, which leads the project, told the SNJ this week that there was no evidence the plans would result in the imminent closure of the town centre and that the chamber's withdrawal would hinder communication between councillors and traders.
The work by Gloucestershire County Council is due to begin between September this year and January 2009 as part of the canal regeneration project.
In a letter to members of the chamber, chairman Carole Garfield, said: "Stroud chamber was a founding member of the Concordat and should not take this decision lightly."
A motion to be discussed by the chamber tonight, Wednesday, reads that the group wishes to withdraw 'due to the disregard of the views of the Stroud business community regarding the timetabling of the roadworks relating to the design and building of the Merrywalks Bridge necessary to support the proposed canal regeneration project'.
The county council has tabled two options for the temporary flow of traffic.
One involves redirecting vehicles along the front of Travis Perkins builders' merchant and the Bell Hotel.
The other involves running two-way traffic in single lanes by the new bridge as it is built.
"The two traffic flow proposals do not appear to take into primary consideration a route which will create the least disruption for visitors," writes Ms Garfield.
"The four proposed bridge designs do not reflect the distinctiveness of Stroud and do not promote this major gateway' into the town centre."
She stressed that the chamber still supported the project but would prefer a 12 month delay in the project to build the bridge, allowing work on the five other bridges in the scheme to start.
Stroud District Council is lobbying for financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which is reviewing its £12 million pledge to the canal project following British Waterways' withdrawal.
The council's chief executive David Hagg said: "We reject any claim that weare ignoring the chamber and we are disappointed that it should rush to make a judgementbased onspeculation.
"We have asked the county council to carry out an impact assessment of the A46 bridge construction works on access toStroud.
"At present, there is no factual basis for the claimthat it will result in the 'imminent closure of Stroud town centre.
"The Concordat was set up to enable councils and traders to work together for the benefit of the town centre. It is difficult to see how this move wouldbenefit anyone."
county council quote Cllr Julie Girling, Gloucestershire County Council's cabinet member for environment, said: "Gloucestershire County Council is a partner in the Canals Regeneration Project and we're continuing to support the project, despite British Waterway's decision to pull out.
"We've been aware about concerns about traffic management and the possible impact on Stroud if the bridge replacement goes ahead.
"That is why we held a public consultation in Stroud last month. We're still completing our analysis of the results.
"It would be a shame if the Chamber of Commerce withdraw from the Concordat. I see the Concordat as the perfect forum to discuss the consultation and make final decisions.
"If the Chamber withdraws it will make it harder for Stroud businesses to have a say in that process."
Cllr Julie Girling, Gloucestershire County Council's cabinet member for environment, said: "Gloucestershire County Council is a partner in the Canals Regeneration Project and we're continuing to support the project, despite British Waterway's decision to pull out.
"We've been aware about concerns about traffic management and the possible impact on Stroud if the bridge replacement goes ahead.
"That is why we held a public consultation in Stroud last month. We're still completing our analysis of the results.
"It would be a shame if the Chamber of Commerce withdraw from the Concordat. I see the Concordat as the perfect forum to discuss the consultation and make final decisions.
"If the Chamber withdraws it will make it harder for Stroud businesses to have a say in that process."
The Stroud Concordat is a formal partnership between Stroud District Council, Stoud Town Council, Gloucestershire County Council and Stroud and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce.
The motion will be debated at the chamber meeting this evening, Wednesday, at 6pm at Bar 9.
Should the chamber withdraw from the Concordat?