Plans for Chiswick High Road, not Old Market Place
Plans for Chiswick High Road, not Old Market Place.Monday 10 October, Robbie Williams 2nd night at the O2, but according to local media there was an event held to discuss proposals for Old Market Place at George IV pub, Chiswick High Road. Robbie was brilliant.From reading the write up, more like minutes, in the Chiswick Calendar, it seems as though some initial decent thought had gone into modernising the area, which is to be welcomed. It is quite clear that the Chiswick Flower Market has largely been positively embraced. It is less clear, that this is the case for the Cheese market and in particular the Antiques market. In looking back to the 1920s when a street market moved indoors before closing, getting the balance right between street markets and shops needs to be carefully thought through. From the Chiswick Calendar minutes there does seem to be two points of clear frustration from the write up that stood out. Firstly, proper inclusive Chiswick wide consultation is required, alternative points of view and ideas need to be heard and acted on. There is a clear sense from the note that this has not been done yet, but the Resident Associations are willing to help. A fair question for example is should there be weekends off, or a market every weekend? Second, is that Old Market Place does not exist but for some reason street signs have been put up. From anyone who attended the event, it would be useful to know where and why these signs were put up? From the write up it says Cllr Gerald McGregor pointed out that it was illegal to have done so. At least there is recognition that they need to come down, but evident frustration expressed in the phrase” The trouble with public consultation is that you do get some ludicrous results” and reference to “Boaty McBoatface”. The same is true if no proper consultation happens ask Liz Truss. It appears quite clear that proper process needs to be followed. Why anyone would potentially ignore, not know or want to get round these processes seems very odd. From reading the report the lesson from the evening is clear: a good start but going forward consultation is important and needs to be done properly and in deference to Robbie’s former bandmates a little “Patience” will be required.
Jonathan Mabbutt ● 1469d182 Comments ● 1433d