2nd September 2010WEYMOUTH: Scheme to promote seafront cafe culture
by Harry Walton
PAVEMENT enlargement is being proposed as the next stage of enhancement for Weymouth Esplanade.
The widening scheme will create a further enlarged “sitting-out” area to help boost trade for local businesses, encourage “cafe culture” in the town and improve the Esplanade experience for pedestrians.
The pavement area between East Street to Bond Street has already been widened to provide more room for outdoor seating and to make the area safer for Esplanade users.
If new proposals are accepted by councillors at a management committee meeting on September 7th then this second stage of work could complement previous work although the scheme will require contributions from businesses along this frontage to enable the project to proceed. Council officers say a traffic regulation order is needed to enable work to progress and this would apply to the area between Bond Street and New Street.
Sixteen metered parking bays would be taken out of use, but dedicated disabled parking bays would not be affected.
The traffic order would also mean that “No Waiting” and “No Loading” restriction would apply in the area although both New Street and the area outside Marks and Spencer would still be available for loading. Any objections to this order would be considered by the council’s planning and traffic committee later in the year.
Weymouth and Portland assets spokesman Councillor Peter Chapman said: “One of the key aims behind this scheme is to allow pedestrians to “reclaim” part of the Esplanade which is currently dominated by vehicular traffic.
“This will also help local businesses gain the most from what is one of the town’s most outstanding locations and will help increase the contribution to the local economy.
“If accepted, the proposed scheme will also give Esplanade users a more enjoyable and relaxing experience and enhance one of the main attractions of our town.
“Unfortunately this does mean that some users will lose the benefit of parking on the seafront.
“However, I believe that the reduction in traffic levels and increased enjoyment and safety for residents make the scheme an important asset to the Seafront Regeneration Programme.”
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