Chamber pulls out of Concordat (From Stroud News and Journal)

Chamber pulls out of Concordat

11:33am Thursday 15th May 2008

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MEMBERS of Stroud's Chamber of Trade and Commerce last night voted to resign from the Concordat in protest over proposed roadworks at the town's busiest junction.

The chamber said it was angry at the way the business community's views had been disregarded over the plans to build a bridge at the intersection of the A46 and A419 at Merrywalks.

The work which is part of the canal regeneration project has been timetabled to start between September this year and January 2009 and is expected to last more than a year.

Chamber members said they were unhappy with the position of the proposed bridge and the effect the roadworks would have not just on trade but on everyone trying to move around the area.

They stressed they were still enthusiastically committed to the canal project but wished to see the Concordat used as it was originally intended.

The Concordat was established in 2002 between Stroud Town Council, Stroud District Council, Gloucestershire County Council and Stroud and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

Its aim was to make Stroud town centre a place that people wanted to come to live, also shop, do business and visit time and again and a place where everyone was accepted and welcome.

To achieve this the Concordat recognised the need to work together and co-operatively with other organisations and groups.

Carole Garfield, chairman of the Chamber of Trade has notified Stroud's town centre manager Vicky Hancock of last night's decision and says she hopes the remaining members of the Concordat will now review its approach to the partnership and said the Chamber would welcome involvement in helping to shape a new way of working.

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