Petition calls for halt to Alnwick pedestrianisation trial

The 679-signature petition calls for Narrowgate, which links Bondgate Within and Fenkle Street, to be reopened to traffic.

Petitioner Jane Atkin, who owns The Beauty Box, said: “It’s affecting our livelihoods so we can only appeal for the road to be reopened.

“I have to pay other people and I signed a lease two years ago on an open road so this is having a financial impact on me.”

Doreen Ginger of PhillDor Photography added: “It has made the winter time an awful lot harder.”

They believe there has been a significant drop in footfall on Bondgate Within since the 12-month trial started last July which could lead to national retailers pulling out.

Safety concerns have also been raised about delivery wagons reversing along the street and traffic turning around at the Narrowgate planters.

However, a number of Narrowgate retailers are in favour of pedestrianisation while others have welcomed a more pleasant shopping environment.

Coun Martin Harrington suggested: “The people who are in favour of it are scared to put their heads above the parapet.”

Coun Gordon Castle, Alnwick county councillor, added: “It was done to improve the conditions for pedestrians and shoppers on foot but I concede that it could have been done better.”

Alnwick Chamber of Trade has already revealed it plans to carry out its own survey seeking feedback on the pedestrianisation trial.

Northumberland County Council has also said it will soon publish the results of a survey it conducted last autumn.

A further survey will be carried out before a decision is made on whether to keep it or scrap it.

Mayor Lynda Wearn said the issue was regularly raised at meetings of the Alnwick Forum but it is a Northumberland County Council decision.

Coun Martin Swinbank said: “The process going forward needs to be laid out so everyone knows how and when it is being done and that it is being done in a transparent manner.”

The petition was handed over to Alnwick Town Council and will be passed on to Northumberland County Council’s petitions committee.

In addition, an e-petition has been created at www.northumberland.gov.uk/Councillors/Involve.aspx#petitioninformation