A FEASIBILITY study, costing £25,000, investigating the possibility to pedestrianise part of Broad Street and the terracing of the Market House area, is to be carried out.

At last week’s Ross-on-Wye Town Council meeting David Wright, head of economy and regeneration at Herefordshire Council reminded members of the council that they had indicated that the development of the Broadmeadow area and the land surrounding the model farm should be investigated.

But Mr Wright stated this was now being included as part of a master plan for east Herefordshire, including Ross, to run over the next 40 to 50 years.

Mr Wright pointed out that there was no point in doubling up on a study as the larger project would be including housing and local infrastructure of the areas highlighted and that work on this would begin early next year.

Cllr Julian Utting said that the town council had an alternative proposal that could undergo investigation in order that the provision of the local authority’s allocation of a £25,000 study, as part of the Ross-on-Wye Market Town Investment Plan, wouldn’t go to waste.

Cllr Utting said: “Another major proposal the town council had been looking at was the pedestrianisation of Ross town centre and the terracing of the area outside the Market House area, so as to make it a more useable space.

Cllr Ed O’Driscoll said: “There is no suggestion that a blanket pedestrianisation of Broad Street would take place. I would suggest that the study should look at making this part-time scheme so it would be open to traffic in the evenings and the study should establish what the impact of pedestrianisation might be. It’s a proposal that warrants further investigation.”

Cllr Utting explained that the initial pedestrianisation proposal is that Broad Street from the Market House down to its junction with New Street, would come under the study’s remit and it will be able to establish what the economic benefits could be.

Mr Wright suggested that the council should be looking at is as a pedestrian priority scheme, which would encompass all scenarios.

Cllr Utting said of the Market House terracing scheme that it is proposed this would be from the bottom of the building’s steps leading out onto a levelled area so as to create a much more usable area, which doesn’t have a 30-degree slant.

“However, so many aspects would need to be taken into account including health and safety, disabled access and the delivery to local shops,” he said.

“I realise there are hundreds more questions that need to be answered and this is where the feasibility study comes in.”

Cllr Louis Stark pointed out that retailers should be consulted on any proposals and highlight any issues and discover if the scheme would cause delivery problems.

Cllr O’Driscoll added: “This scheme could also provide an opportunity to install glass doors in the Market House to create a greater space that could be used all year round.”

Cllr James Vidler suggested that if a green landscaping was to be included as part of the terracing it would help with the water run-off.

Cllr Linden Delves said he would be delighted in a pedestrianised town and added: “This would bring in additional value to Ross and with it untold economic benefits. If the study could show that, we could drive that forward.”

Mr Wright concluded: “Don’t over complicate the brief as it would be best to make it as general as possible. However, pedestrianisation could be a massive cause for good and improve the town. The council will have to brief the consultants accordingly as to how far members want to take this.”