[Green Lanes Business Association survey]
Question 1. What do think is good about the area?
fairly good variety / selection of different shops / services
Question 2. What do you think is less good about the area?
Excessive cost of short term parking which means local shops cannot compete with out of town outlets which have free parking
Question 3. What would you like to see to improve the area?
give minimum 20 minutes – maximum 30 mins free parking on the main thoroughfares.
Question 4a. Specific aspects – traffic
Traffic – no specific problem which cannot be rectified, only by changing timings on traffic lights
Traffic (hedge lane junction) – alter phasing of traffic lights – possibly introduce a filter system?
Question 4b. Specific aspects – parking
Parking – major problem for all independent shops.
Supports (definitely) free ½ hr parking
Would encourage more use of town centre. Often only need 5-10 mins to pop into a shop for a quick look, etc. without this – many people don’t bother.
Doesn’t support Sunday parking charging. Should only be brought in if Sunday trading laws abolished and it becomes the same as any other day
Question 4c. Specific aspects – clutter
Clutter – remove unnecessary sign posts – many signs could easily be installed on lamp posts !! more litter bins required
Question 4d. Specific aspects – look of the shops/architecture
Look of shops –overall OK. Problem with shop premises which have been vacant for long periods.
Question 4e. Specific aspacts – type and range of shops
Type of shops – is hard to attract small independents because of the cost of parking. Only large multinationals can afford to overcome this and it in turn limits variety
Question 4f. Specific aspects – amount and use of pavement space
Pavement – encourage outside cafe seating where space allows to embrace a continental style atmosphere. Allow street trading where possible.
Question 4g. Specific aspects – the Triangle public space
Triangle – focal point needed. Suggest notice boards be allowed for all local shops / businesses to use on a equal basis to promote their shops
Question 4h. Specific aspects – Greenery Planters – not necessary in current economic climate. Although attractive. Money could be better used.
Any other comments
Other – would like to see litter wardens on patrol in PG. The system is working elsewhere and don’t see why their presence locally would soon make people think twice about littering.
Would also like to see regular PCSO patrols again.