To assist with recovery following Covid lockdowns in 2021, funding was made available for projects to encourage people to return to town centres, including Wiveliscombe. Projects were led by local working groups involving councillors and business and community representatives.
One of these projects aimed to leave a legacy by preparing a vision to enhance the sense of place, vitality and distinctiveness of Wiveliscombe Square and town centre. A project website details the local consultation undertaken (2021-22) and the final vision produced, which is summarised below. Unfortunately, it is now difficult to progress the larger elements of the vision, but there may still be some hope as outlined further below.
Other projects in Wiveliscombe included umbrellas for those in queues on rainy days (remember these during Covid?), flower and tree planting, a renewed town website, welcome banners, new benches, town centre maps and signs in car parks, graffiti removal, CCTV, contributions to Christmas lights and Community Centre building works, and painting street furniture.
More progress in the town centre
Further contributions followed to improve the town centre. After the town’s iconic fingerpost in The Square was knocked down, Wiveliscombe and Somerset Councils ensured it was updated and replaced. Repairs and painting were prompted for Day Lewis Chemist and other listed buildings. Safety works enabled limited reopening of the Town Hall for events. The County Council removed an empty tree guard in The Square and re-laid paving bricks that had become loose and a magnet for weeds. There was also more enforcement of parking restrictions.
Final vision
A summary of the final vision for the town centre, together with reports providing the full background and results of consultation, are shown online at: wivey.co.uk. The following outlines the main aspects of the vision in West Street and The Square.
WEST STREET – One way traffic system on West Street from west to east, starting at Jubilee Gardens and ending at the junction with The Square. This should ease congestion, improve traffic flow and allow space for more time-restricted parking for shoppers on the north side of West Street. A delivery bay is proposed outside Thorne’s Butchers where there are currently double yellow lines.
THE SQUARE – A raised platform to slow traffic and give more priority to pedestrians, which includes the top of West Street and North Street. Time-restricted parking for shoppers in The Square, along with design restrictions to prevent parking on corners and the pedestrian part of The Square, which would be lined with stone cubes. A delivery bay (mornings only) proposed outside the Town Hall, with parking at other times. Natural stone paving around The Square, along with a new aggregate surface to replace the current bricks. Informal crossings (marked on road) at the top of West Street and across The Square. A small indent for parking, including by delivery lorries, in The Square, so that more road width is allowed for vehicles passing through.
Further detailed design work will be needed. This will need to ensure vehicle access to Jews Lane and driveways off West Street, and to the archways to Printers Mews and Lion House off High Street. Parking spaces and pavement build-outs will also need to be carefully planned and positioned, including to provide visibility for crossings.
Working group conclusion
Unfortunately, there were changing circumstances with a new Somerset Council established and a shift in priorities with a new Government elected, which made it more difficult to progress the town centre vision.
Therefore, the project working group has concluded its work and issued a final statement.
The most realistic prospects for funding to take the vision forward may now be contributions from new housing developments and from Community Infrastructure Levy payments to Somerset Council and Wiveliscombe Town Council. The town centre vision provides a strong statement that could help unlock funding from these and possibly other sources.
It is hoped both Somerset Council and Wiveliscombe Town Council may be able to further implement the vision and improve the town centre for the benefit of all those who live and work in Wiveliscombe and those who shop, visit and use its businesses and services. I will do my best to continue to promote this, especially at Somerset Council. It will be great if this can be progressed further, especially to also address parking problems at the same time, which was always part of the intention.
Discover more from A GREEN VIEW for Wiveliscombe and Upper Tone
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
