Sandy Park at tonight's Nairnshire Partnership and Ward ForumThe Partnership heard tonight how the £800,000 streetscape plan will proceed next year. It is anticipated that, after contract tendering etc, that work will commence towards the end of May or the start of June. Work will be completed in three phases and will take 20 weeks. The High Street will be kept open during this time but obviously there will be considerable disruption. It is a no gain without pain scenario. Convenor Sandy was very positive about the outcome however and told the meeting how he remembered events of the last upgrade nearly 30 years ago and the eventual boost that gave to the street. He said, ' This will send out good vibes to retail business.'
The plans on display tonight were literally off the press having been printed in the afternoon and will be familiar to all concerned as they are the fruit of the previous consultations. There is a chance even more improvements could be on the agenda if the Co-op could be presuaded to contribute - if they decide to go ahead with their development in Nairn.
More from the ward forum later.
What la la land are these people living in? Smack bang during the holiday season. Many small retailers are hanging on by their fingertips and no matter how much Sandy tries to put a positive spin on it this could be the final straw for some of them with the possible loss of what little trade they have. This is not the same as the upgrade 30 years ago and I'm afraid there will be much more pain than gain this time. In one of your other articles you mention the current traffic problems, this streetscape project is not going to help the situation and will only make things worse.
ReplyDeleteThere's no other way round it for Highland Council anon, they have to do it within the Scottish Government time frame or walk away and give the money back to them.
ReplyDelete@ Love child
ReplyDeleteNot willing to publish that.
The only thing that is wrong with Nairn High St is that the pulling power of better shopping choices in Inverness and Forres
ReplyDeleteNo end of new pavements or street furniture will ever change that I'm afraid.
Have a close look at the effects of the streetscape improvements in Inverness, maybe I am over cynical but the effects of the new pavements etc just make the old tired buildings look even worse and less attractive.
I think it would take a very brilliant archietect to come up with a sympthetical design for Nairn, I suppose time will tell.
fishertoonloon
fishertoonloon is quite right:
ReplyDeleteHave a close look at the effects of the streetscape improvements in Inverness, maybe I am over cynical but the effects of the new pavements etc just make the old tired buildings look even worse and less attractive.
All the more reason for the High Street retailers and property owners to use the streetscape project as an opportunity to clean up, repaint and sort out their deteriorating buildings. Many seem to be keen to speak up against new initiatives (like Sainsburys). Is there any chance they can be persuaded to take some positive action to help themselves and the town?