Web Forum: Plan B??

Jan 28 2010 by Andrew Jackson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HUDDERSFIELD Civic Society’s plans for the town centre have unleashed a storm.

markmyword24was livid : “When will the unelected, self-perpetuating members of a club of the ‘great and good’ stop telling us poor plebs what is in our best interests?

“I filled in the appropriate questionnaire back in November. I didn’t include a Rugby League museum because I thought we already had one in Yorkshire. They want a new art gallery. I believe one was in a scheme for the library/market hall area refurbishment that they effectively ‘killed’ with their campaign to save a roof. Again, wasn’t there space in the original library proposals for a performing arts space?

“As for further pedestrianisation – have this lot actually looked at the demographics for those who actually shop in Huddersfield town centre? What is needed to bring life back to Huddersfield are jobs, jobs and more jobs. It would also be desirable to have arterial roads and a railway system for the 21st century, not the current throwback to the beginning of the 20th.’

Otis piped up: “I agree with all you say. Who the hell are these people who have the ear of the council and have first say over the opinions of the majority?

“How many people actually are actually members of this organisation? It only takes a few strident activists to cause councillors to listen to their propaganda or self interests.

I don’t remember voting to elect the civic society to represent me, and from their outpourings so far I doubt I ever will.”

idlejohn had doubts: “I am not really convinced that a Textile and Rugby Museum will have people flocking to Huddersfield. As for banning cars within most of the area inside the ring road and making pedestrianised areas, this may work in some towns but in case Cedric Cullingford has not noticed, Huddersfield is built on a hill and does not really lend itself to extensive pedestrianisation.”

TommyDGNR8saw a positive: “Redeveloping the town centre for something other than retail is definitely the thing to do; the ‘quarters’ idea was/is great because entertainment and culture/history represent a much safer bet for the future than shopping.”