The Town Council held a consultation on proposed changes to traffic and parking arrangements in Knutsford Town Centre from 5th February to 16th March 2020. These form the first stage of a comprehensive Town Centre Masterplan.
In total we received 658 responses to the consultation which demonstrate overall support for the proposals. A report on the consultation has been prepared and will be published in July when the recommendations from the Town Centre working group are presented to the Town Council.
The number of respondents supporting or opposing the three aspects of the proposed scheme are:
Discouraging through traffic – 426 (65%) FOR | 232 (35%) AGAINST
More parking & a multi-storey – 517 (79%) FOR | 139(21%) AGAINST
Limiting parking on King and Princess Streets – 505 (77%) FOR | 151 (23%) AGAINST
The numbers answering the question “Overall, do you support this 3-part scheme as a first step towards securing the future of Knutsford town centre?” were:
YES: 383 (58%) | NO: 268 (41%)
61 respondents identified themselves as business owners/ managers; of these 38 voted YES, 23 NO.
The many comments qualify and explain the support or lack of it for the various aspects of the scheme. Topics attracting comment include:
- traffic congestion on the A50 and Adams Hill caused by closing King and Princess Streets to through traffic,
- drivers being confused by the proposed road changes, and disappointed at having to drive around the town, not through it,
- support for a multi-storey especially at the Tatton St. car park, but concern that unless well designed, it would be out of keeping with Knutsford’s heritage.
- concern that a multi-storey on the King Street car park would spoil the view from the Moor,
- traffic along Moorside posing a hazard near the children’s playground,
- the desire to be able to park near a shop and call in for a few minutes, free of charge,
- the pedestrianisation of King Street,
- enforcing the double yellow lines,
- the state of the pavements in King and Princess Streets,
- consideration for the particular needs of town centre residents,
- low cost parking for town centre employees,
- the ultimate need for a bypass.