PLANS to enhance the Boyle Cross area with new seating and planters should benefit all users of the space.
That’s the opinion of some town councillors who explained that they feel the current design is weighed “more heavily” in favour of hosting markets, rather than accommodating pedestrians and other events.
The design – which is part of ‘phase three’ of the town council’s Market Place redevelopment plans – currently proposes a mixture of permanent seating and planters on the periphery of Boyle Cross, and temporary street furniture in the central area of Boyle Cross, which can be moved for markets and events.
“It’s almost there,” said cllr Scott Ward at this month’s town council ‘town matters’ meeting, “but I think if we can look a bit more at pedestrianisation and making it a nice permanent space for people walking through and visiting the space, as well as markets.”
Cllr Maxine Crawley raised concerns that only having permanent seating and planters on the periphery of Boyle Cross, would leave a “big slab of concrete” in the central space when there is no market or event taking place.
“I don’t want it to be a big empty slab, with things either end,” said cllr Crawley, who urged the council to think more about what the Boyle Cross will look like on “off days”.
“We’ve got obsessed with the space being used for markets, and not other things,” added cllr Paul Horton, who urged the council to look for “creative ways” to “animate” the space.
Cllr Horton also said that fixed street furniture could limit what the council could do with the space. “We’ll be shooting ourselves in the foot,” said cllr Horton.
“It’s going to be a very difficult compromise to make a suitable space, acceptable to all,” said cllr Mark Dorrington. “And not everybody will be satisfied, but we have to do what we can for the majority.”
The plans and its cost will continue to be revised and will be discussed at a town council meeting in the future.
