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Our CH64 - an update
| Published: 26th February 2009 10:48 |
More suggestions have been added to the list formulated before and during the recent Town Hall event.
Our article below explains what has been happening so far, but at the top here we'd just like to show you the lists of ideas that have come from the School Councils at Neston High School and Parkgate Primary School:
Neston High School
- Improved swimming facilities. Perhaps a small racing/training pool and a larger "fun" pool.
- More drama / theatre facilities for young people
- Youth activities in Willaston
- Update the skate park in Stanne Fields Park and install new ones in other parks in the area.
- Create a "graffiti wall" so that all that creative energy can go in one place and not in places it shouldn't be.
- Neston needs a theatre and cinema.
- Wider range of shops, more local produce, less packaging.
- Art workshops to give teenagers something creative to do after school.
- An urban farm - perhaps one of the local farms opening it's doors on a regular basis for young people to go and learn about farm life.
- More litter bins.
- Friendlier shops - some shopkeepers are openly hostile towards younger customers.
- A museum and more exhibitions relating to the area's heritage.
Parkgate Primary School
- Parkgate does not have a "hub" - it needs a Community building to hold clubs, classes and activities for people of all ages.
- Parkgate's park needs improving. Currently the play equipment is geared towards very young children. There is nothing for older children/teenagers to do. Need a skate & bike area and football facilities, plus bigger and better park play equipment.
- Create a large decked area out onto the marsh for people to sit and have ice creams/seafood etc.
- More litter bins.
- More dog bins and better policing of dog owners who do not clear up after their animals. Particularly a problem on Rope Walk and Wirral Way.
- Make Parkgate Parade one way - there is too much traffic, especially on sunny and high tide days.
- Improve parking all round Parkgate.
- RSPB could open up a proper "hide" for schoolchildren to be encouraged to get interested in the area's wildlife.
- Pavements and toilet facilties on Parkgate front are not suitable for disabled people - money should be spent on improving the situation.
The full report from this exercise is now being put together, and we will publish more information in due course.
Meanwhile, a huge thank you to everyone who has taken part so far, especially the young people of the area who have been so enthusiastic in their responses to our appeal for their input.
A number of community organisations in Neston have joined forces to launch a special project to find out what Nestonians' aspirations are for their area.
With so much set to change in the Neston area with the town centre redevelopment, a new council and an emerging town council, residents are being asked to take positive steps to shape Neston and its surrounding area by putting on their thinking caps and coming up with ideas for the benefit of the whole community.
Local organisations including ch64inc, the Neston Civic Society, the new Neston Community and Youth Centre, Neston & District Chamber of Trade and AboutMyArea have taken the initiative and launched ‘Our CH64', an exercise to find out what practical changes people would like to see in their area. Anyone living in Neston, Little Neston, Burton, Ness, Parkgate or Willaston and the surrounding area can get involved.
Town Hall Event - Your Ideas
At a public event on Tuesday February 10th, well over 200 people came into the Town Hall to find out more about the initiative, indicate their preferences on a list of existing ideas (including those put forward via this website) and suggest more of their own. People of all ages and backgrounds came along to put across their ideas (see gallery below), and the views of a contingent of pupils from Neston Primary School were especially welcome given that they will live with the outcomes of this exercise for a lot longer than many of us!
Parkgate Primary School have also submitted a list of preferences delivered by Merlin Class (Years 5 & 6 pupils) and the School Council at Neston High School will also be delivering their views after half-term.
Click here to download a copy of the basic list that people were invited to consider and add their own ideas to.
Here are just some of the ideas added during the day:
Environment
- Anti-litter campaign
- Cafe at Stanney Fields Park
- Footpath from Ness to Ness Gardens (current route is dangerous for children & the elderly)
- Clear out the drains into Parkgate Marsh
- Dig up the marsh at Parkgate
Children, Health & Social Care
- Willaston needs more youth activities, perhaps a youth club
- Free cycle courses not just for children but for the elderly & disabled as well, perhaps with handcycles/trikes
- More arts-based activities
- Expand the walking train initiative for school children
Town Centre
- More benches
- Paint the railway bridge at the bottom of Chester Road to say "Welcome to Neston"
- Tarmac Pennington's Weint
- New Christmas lights, not just for Neston Town Centre, but for Willaston
Leisure & Recreation
- Literary Festival
- Enhance existing Neston Music Festival - more time and more types of music
- A Music Centre in the area, with practice rooms/rehearsal spaces
- Improve and extend the Recreation Centre, provided there is more access for adults during school hours
Travel & Tourism
- Street furniture to suit conservation areas
- Preserve Belmont Cottage for use as a Heritage Centre (possibly rebuild elsewhere in town?)
- Improve train and bus links
- Pony & trap rides from Neston to Parkgate
- Improve birdwatching opportunities/initiatives
- Tourist office, open at weekends especially
- Taxi rank
Business & Economy
- Subsidise rent and rates to help both current and new businesses
- Allow for "step-up" rent and rates for new businesses to allow them to get a foothold
- Local co-operative shop stocking local produce
- Well thought out transport infrastructure, especially during forthcoming construction period
- Better parking
- Better retail facilities such as clothes shops
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Comments
TonyAt 16:52 on 23rd January 2009, Tony commented:
I should like to see improvements to playing fields. Stanney Fields Park is a lovely area for the community now, and I gather from a report here recently that West Vale is set to be improved. However, some of the smaller play areas such as Marshlands Road and Woodlands Road are very poorly equipped.
Kirsty WAt 08:52 on 26th January 2009, Kirsty W commented:
I wonder, could someone please explain why it is that so much money was allocated and used to create a more historic feel to the town? It seems this was a pointless exercise if it's followed by the building of a Sainsburys which will effectively destroy local businesses.
I know this point has been made frequently but I wonder why no one is listening?
I know this point has been made frequently but I wonder why no one is listening?
Grahame OAt 16:49 on 1st February 2009, Grahame O commented:
More publicity is needed for Feb 10 event. article in local paper omitted times.
Carrie SpaceyAt 18:44 on 1st February 2009, Carrie Spacey responded:
We are putting out thousands of flyers and posters this week, and anticipate further newspaper coverage. In addition, BBC Radio Merseyside ran a piece on the event during their news bulletins on Friday.
It is important that as many people as possible engage with this exercise, so if all site visitors who read about it could please let their friends and families know, that would be very helpful.
It is important that as many people as possible engage with this exercise, so if all site visitors who read about it could please let their friends and families know, that would be very helpful.
At 23:23 on 2nd February 2009, commented:
In response to Kirsty W, money will come from Sainsbury's, and this exercise is to ask us how we'd like it spent. (I think the new supermarket is what we need, to encourage some of the 70% who now do their main food shop outside Neston to shop in Neston, but that argument is over.)
We must think about future generations, and reduce climate change.
I'd like pavements to be made better. For wheelchairs and pushchairs, can we have ramps at all junctions, please? With a heavy wheelchair, even a one-inch step makes it hard. For people with poor sight, cars parked on pavements are a special hazard. If we make pavements user-friendly, more of us will walk, which will be good for us.
Can we have lots of nice comfy bus shelters, with seats and lights, and displays saying when the next bus is coming? Modern cars are comfy, so encourage us to use buses more, and our narrow streets can be reserved for vehicles that have to be there.
How about frequent trains direct to Liverpool? Electrification would cost a fortune, but diesel-electric coaches could go all the way. How about buses to Hooton station and to Chester in the evenings and on Sundays? At present the only place buses go from Neston in the evenings is Liverpool (and the last one back is 10.30, too late for theatres).
We must think about future generations, and reduce climate change.
I'd like pavements to be made better. For wheelchairs and pushchairs, can we have ramps at all junctions, please? With a heavy wheelchair, even a one-inch step makes it hard. For people with poor sight, cars parked on pavements are a special hazard. If we make pavements user-friendly, more of us will walk, which will be good for us.
Can we have lots of nice comfy bus shelters, with seats and lights, and displays saying when the next bus is coming? Modern cars are comfy, so encourage us to use buses more, and our narrow streets can be reserved for vehicles that have to be there.
How about frequent trains direct to Liverpool? Electrification would cost a fortune, but diesel-electric coaches could go all the way. How about buses to Hooton station and to Chester in the evenings and on Sundays? At present the only place buses go from Neston in the evenings is Liverpool (and the last one back is 10.30, too late for theatres).
Sarah HAt 16:33 on 3rd February 2009, Sarah H commented:
I think the investment can only be a good thing now all that needs to happen is all dogs kept locked up inside so our streets are not covered with dog dirt!!! I for one and so sick of all you dog owners allowing your dogs to foul the pavement. Neston is one of the worse places I have seen for stupid dog owners!! Be sensible and keep Neston looking good for all our sakes!
Jill MAt 21:49 on 3rd February 2009, Jill M commented:
Creative ideas leading to positive action are needed to develop Neston. It is good to see such a large array of local organisations working together to seek as many local views as posssible. We all have a duty and opportunity to make our own ideas heard. I would challenge all of us who live in Neston be positive and look to the furture. Let us waste no more time with pointless criticism.
Neston Voice NAt 14:21 on 4th February 2009, Neston Voice N commented:
If there is will and money available to improve Neston, I would ask those with this influence and access to funds for projects in Neston and surrounding suburbs, to be prepared to tackle some of the basics first. We must think about the current generation, and the desire for the peaceable majority to live in peace without anti social behaviour. We need to remove the hidden corners that allow congregation for illegal drug taking, criminal damage, littering, and very often, underage drinking.
Examples of the very worst things that might be afforded are:
Nice comfy bus shelters to act as all weather congregation points for the significant number of Neston residents who think a good time is smoking (both tobacco & drugs), drinking, vandalism, littering and threatening behaviour to others. For those who have to endure anti social behaviour, a good day is when it rains.
The subject of littering and dog fouling should be taken seriously, and rather than many thousands spent on pretty things for the minority satisfaction, resources must be applied to tackle issues such as these for the benefit of the whole.
Almost equally painful is the thought of an easy commuter route to Liverpool; Neston suffers much from the influence of that city, in respect of language, crime and antisocial behaviour so the harder it is for physical communication the better.
There are good things about Neston, but before adding pretty things, or cultural improvements, we need to tackle the basics of cleanliness & public order.
Examples of the very worst things that might be afforded are:
Nice comfy bus shelters to act as all weather congregation points for the significant number of Neston residents who think a good time is smoking (both tobacco & drugs), drinking, vandalism, littering and threatening behaviour to others. For those who have to endure anti social behaviour, a good day is when it rains.
The subject of littering and dog fouling should be taken seriously, and rather than many thousands spent on pretty things for the minority satisfaction, resources must be applied to tackle issues such as these for the benefit of the whole.
Almost equally painful is the thought of an easy commuter route to Liverpool; Neston suffers much from the influence of that city, in respect of language, crime and antisocial behaviour so the harder it is for physical communication the better.
There are good things about Neston, but before adding pretty things, or cultural improvements, we need to tackle the basics of cleanliness & public order.
Carrie SpaceyAt 11:43 on 5th February 2009, Carrie Spacey responded:
During February's Neston & District Chamber of Trade meeting last night, an initial discussion identified two possible ideas that should be put forward in this exercise:
1. The creation of a Buy Local campaign, involving both shops and services, to promote local businesses and increase local loyalty to them.
2. The provision of a market stall at Neston's Friday market and possibly the Farmer's market also, which could be used by local businesses wishing to promote their products and services to market visitors.
1. The creation of a Buy Local campaign, involving both shops and services, to promote local businesses and increase local loyalty to them.
2. The provision of a market stall at Neston's Friday market and possibly the Farmer's market also, which could be used by local businesses wishing to promote their products and services to market visitors.
At 17:18 on 10th February 2009, commented:
I've just been to the Town Hall, and it was buzzing! Full marks to Carrie, Neston Chamber of Trade, Neston Civic Society, Neston Community & Youth Centre, and ch64inc for organising this. We may not all agree on the priorities, but we agree that we want the Neston area to be even better. The new Cheshire West and Chester Council will have no doubt that there are plenty of things we want done in Neston.
ClangerAt 22:33 on 10th February 2009, Clanger commented:
I was unable to get to today's Open Meeting but some things that I and my friends are keen to see a major improvement with include:
1. New Road surfaces on Chester / Hinderton Road, Leighton Road, Earle Drive (top), many of the roads in this village are appalling and Ellesmere Port do not suffer like we do! It is a major necessity that is needed to bring people back to this town and prevent us from going to other areas of Cheshire.
2. What about a nice Wine Bar and a chain of Coffee Shop? What on earth is going to happen to the Coach and Horses, all those buildings renovated last year and what do you look across at steel shutters on a derelict pub?
3. More restaurants needed a nice Italian would be nice.
4. Sainsbury is going to be a big bonus for this town, why so many people against it? I avoid Tesco with a passion it is far too small for the number of customers that use it
5. Lastly on a Tuesday Night I attend Yoga with Bill Hislop and this week you have made him cancel his class. Why could this meeting not have bee held in the Civic Hall? Over the last year EP&NBC have constantly tried to put the rent up so Bill has now reduced his time of the class to 1hour from 1.30mins because he does not want to increase his price. With society now trying to make a healthier lifestyle for people this is not going about it the right way. Lastly what is the stage used for? My daughter did a presentation there (home produce etc.) when she was 8 years old. She is now 28! Please, isn't it about time we got ahead with the times?
A Leighton Road Resident.
1. New Road surfaces on Chester / Hinderton Road, Leighton Road, Earle Drive (top), many of the roads in this village are appalling and Ellesmere Port do not suffer like we do! It is a major necessity that is needed to bring people back to this town and prevent us from going to other areas of Cheshire.
2. What about a nice Wine Bar and a chain of Coffee Shop? What on earth is going to happen to the Coach and Horses, all those buildings renovated last year and what do you look across at steel shutters on a derelict pub?
3. More restaurants needed a nice Italian would be nice.
4. Sainsbury is going to be a big bonus for this town, why so many people against it? I avoid Tesco with a passion it is far too small for the number of customers that use it
5. Lastly on a Tuesday Night I attend Yoga with Bill Hislop and this week you have made him cancel his class. Why could this meeting not have bee held in the Civic Hall? Over the last year EP&NBC have constantly tried to put the rent up so Bill has now reduced his time of the class to 1hour from 1.30mins because he does not want to increase his price. With society now trying to make a healthier lifestyle for people this is not going about it the right way. Lastly what is the stage used for? My daughter did a presentation there (home produce etc.) when she was 8 years old. She is now 28! Please, isn't it about time we got ahead with the times?
A Leighton Road Resident.
Robin HAt 00:55 on 12th February 2009, Robin H commented:
Some of my priorities would be (1) major investment at the Rec including learner pool, better daytime facilities for adult classes for all ages and conditions and creche, (2) investment in tourism and visitor facilities including accommodation, walking,cycling, natural history, local history, (3) small business development programme with emphasis on quality retail, hospitality industry, home-office and maximising benefits fromthe three higher education facilities in CH64, (4) Centre for Community Involvement run by ch64inc (5) more of the community building already started by ch64inc and other vol orgs. There's no doubt it's putting us on the map and pulling people together. PS: like most other people, I think public transport needs sorting out. We want to be able to get to Chester, Liverpool, N Cheshire and N Wales comfortably and conveniently for work, education and pleasure.
Robin HAt 01:20 on 12th February 2009, Robin H commented:
Am I allowed a second go? I just wanted to add a few things about the population structure and ask whether it prompts any thoughts.
(1) The CH64 area has the second highest proportion of elderly people of any part of the new Cheshire West and Chester Council's area. Does that say anything about health and social care priorities - or other things?
(2) We know that a lot of people living in CH64 don't use local facilities much and don't join in local activities. If this is you, what would it take to get you to join in?
(3) Most people in the CH64 area are quite well off but some are not. They may be hard-up young families, teenagers with low levels of educational achievement, pensioners or people with disabilities. If it's you, what would make a difference to your life?
(4) And finally, the hard one. People often say that CH64 is a divided community - old residents and incomers, young and old, rich and poor, town and villages, miner, fisherman, farmer, carer or commuter, part looking towards Merseyside, part looking towards Cheshire. Just what is it that makes you proud of our CH64 community?
(1) The CH64 area has the second highest proportion of elderly people of any part of the new Cheshire West and Chester Council's area. Does that say anything about health and social care priorities - or other things?
(2) We know that a lot of people living in CH64 don't use local facilities much and don't join in local activities. If this is you, what would it take to get you to join in?
(3) Most people in the CH64 area are quite well off but some are not. They may be hard-up young families, teenagers with low levels of educational achievement, pensioners or people with disabilities. If it's you, what would make a difference to your life?
(4) And finally, the hard one. People often say that CH64 is a divided community - old residents and incomers, young and old, rich and poor, town and villages, miner, fisherman, farmer, carer or commuter, part looking towards Merseyside, part looking towards Cheshire. Just what is it that makes you proud of our CH64 community?
NestonNoNeck At 19:46 on 13th February 2009, NestonNoNeck commented:
I know the widespread angry opposition to the new Supermarket has been discussed widely, but the real criminal legacy will be that the siting of it will mean that Neston is forever sentenced to having a traffic choked town centre. The only route to provide a bypass will have gone forever.
Other towns may have traffic through their centres but at least they have pavements wide enough for more than 2 people to pass each other. Unfortunately no amount of local action will make Neston Town Centre a pleasant shopping experience. Who wants to shop amongst a sea of traffic, crammed onto narrow pavements, it is not a pleasant environment in which to linger. And this is before all the extra visitors arrive, attracted to the new supermarket!
To be a viable market town it is essential to have many small shops but these are few and far between and getting fewer due to overpriced rents and unattractive leases. To experience a vibrant shopping area just go to Shotton, lots of small competitive shops and not a major supermarket amongst them.
I know that experts have said that the cost of implementing the 1970’s Town Plan for a bypass and pedestrianisation of the town centre was too expensive, but at least it would have created a place worth visiting. The scale of levelling and road building required to create a bypass from Hinderton Road to Ladies Walk through the car parks does not seem excessive compared with the major task of excavating thousands of cubic metres of sandstone to build the proposed subterranean car park
I’m sorry to be so negative about the future of Neston Town Centre but it is the feeling shared by a lot of residents who feel that nobody is listening. Just ploughing ahead with an unworkable scheme is just madness, even doing nothing seems a better proposition.
Other towns may have traffic through their centres but at least they have pavements wide enough for more than 2 people to pass each other. Unfortunately no amount of local action will make Neston Town Centre a pleasant shopping experience. Who wants to shop amongst a sea of traffic, crammed onto narrow pavements, it is not a pleasant environment in which to linger. And this is before all the extra visitors arrive, attracted to the new supermarket!
To be a viable market town it is essential to have many small shops but these are few and far between and getting fewer due to overpriced rents and unattractive leases. To experience a vibrant shopping area just go to Shotton, lots of small competitive shops and not a major supermarket amongst them.
I know that experts have said that the cost of implementing the 1970’s Town Plan for a bypass and pedestrianisation of the town centre was too expensive, but at least it would have created a place worth visiting. The scale of levelling and road building required to create a bypass from Hinderton Road to Ladies Walk through the car parks does not seem excessive compared with the major task of excavating thousands of cubic metres of sandstone to build the proposed subterranean car park
I’m sorry to be so negative about the future of Neston Town Centre but it is the feeling shared by a lot of residents who feel that nobody is listening. Just ploughing ahead with an unworkable scheme is just madness, even doing nothing seems a better proposition.
lorraine bAt 22:20 on 27th February 2009, lorraine b commented:
i agree with the park areas so much advertising about west vale park area, but what about the others children on our estate begged for new equipment it was even in the papers but they got nothink, the grass is hardly ever cut so they cant play football, they have a swing and a climbing frame and that is it.. but that is where our children want to meet .. the council would complain if the park wasnt used .. well do somethink about it then what makes west vale so special .. there are loads of small park areas on estates that are crying out for help.. look in the archives of the local press and you will see children begging for help to improve our park .. what did they get .. same as usual nothink .. i am beginning to think that if i lived in ellesmere port maybe then the council would take us serious ... neston the poor relation ...
BazAt 09:28 on 4th March 2009, Baz commented:
I am looking forward to seeing the report. It's clear that there are a lot of ideas floating around, so let's hope the efforts made here come to something.
Philip SAt 21:55 on 8th March 2009, Philip S commented:
We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to move to Neston from Ellesmere Port approximately seven years ago. We have since had two more children (making a total of three) and couldn't wish for a better environment for our family to enjoy and we plan to stay! We chose Neston because of its character, history and scenic location; unfortunately some Nestonians do not appreciate what they have got and support what I see as a change in character with the building of the new Sainsburys supermarket. As a relative newcomer to the area this seems a bizarre decision; perhaps those bemoaning Ellesmere Port wish to have a similar town here! On the subject of Ellesmere Port, if Neston is the poorer relation then a move to Ellesmere Port might be an option; not many takers there! By the way, not everybody from perceived poorer areas are "bad" people with regards to a previous contribution relating to better transport links with Liverpool. Neston does not suffer from excessive dog dirt on it's streets, plagues of pigeons, excessive litter, an army of uncontrollable youths etc, etc; in fact it seems like paradise to me compared to previous experiences living elsewhere! So my wish for Neston would be to remain as it is, with perhaps just a few less people who think the place is going to the dogs and want dramatic change,. Fine tuning is all that may be required; believe you me , the grass is not greener.
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