APPENDIX 1
TOP OF THE TOWN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS
SUMMARY OF CONSULTATION
1
RESPONSES TO QUESTIONNAIRE
1.1
The responses to the questionnaire together with an interpretation of findings are
descried below under the headings of seating and benches, litter bins and planters
followed a suggested way forward.
2
SEATING & BENCHES
2.1
The public and stakeholders were given a choice of three types of seats and
benches, two timber and one metal. Metal seating received little support with only
12% of the public wanting it. The general view was that it would be too cold in
winter to sit on, and also scratches easily which shows up more readily than on
wood. With regard to the two timber options, 42% voted for the Pierhead bench
and 46% for the cast iron framed seat. The combined vote of 54% for Pierhead
and steel seating shows that a contemporary style of seating is more popular than
a more traditional style found with a cast iron seat.
Pierhead seat
Steel seat
Cast iron framed seat
2.2
Refurbishing existing benches
2.2.1
In addition to the three options described above, there was strong public support
for the idea of refurbishing the existing seats and benches. This came through as
a suggestion at public meetings and in the comments section of the questionnaire.
Many consultees liked the existing seats and benches, indicating that they were fit
for purpose, although in need of refurbishment. Some consultees also commented
that they keen to see the money spent wisely and felt that providing new seats and
benches did not achieve this.
2.2.2
In response to this a pilot was undertaken to refurbish two benches within the Top
of the Town area to establish whether refurbishment was a suitable and
deliverable option. This pilot has shown that refurbishment of existing seats and
benches is a cost effective and practical option, worthy of pursuing.
2.2.3
Quotations were also sought from a supplier for the fabrication of seats and
benches to match the existing, so that if additional items were required these could
be provided.
2.3
Seat and bench features
2.3.1
Disability groups did not like the existing benches within the Top of the Town area
that did not have backs. This they believe could result in users toppling backwards
and they preferred seating with backs, or wider benches without backs.
2.3.2
Some consultees referred to the new seating recently installed within The Malls. At
the time this received some criticism because the seating was initially too low and
older people considered they needed arm rests to help them get in and out of the
seats.
2.4
Number of seats
2.4.1
The public was consulted on numbers of seats and benches in the Top of the
Town area. There was a view that the number of seat and benches should not be
reduced, however, whether to increase the number of seats or benches was
inconclusive.
2.4.2
It was thought that there was sufficient seating at the west end of Winchester
Street and in Market Place , but there was the opportunity to introduce a few
additional benches in Church Street and Wote Street, though each location
needed to be considered on its individual merits after consultation with adjacent
businesses and consideration of underground service runs.
2.5
Location of seats
2.5.1
Consultees were asked whether there are any places where new seats should be
provided and/or where they would like to see existing seating removed. There was
little opposition to the current locations of seats and benches. A small number of
consutlees expressed concerns about drunks congregating around the seating
outside their business and putting people off.
2.5.2
Based on peoples comments the following areas were identified as possible
locations for new seats:

around the perimeter of Market Place

in Church Street and Wote street towards the bottom of the hill

at the western end of Winchester Street.
2.6
Summary
2.6.1
In broad terms the public liked a simple robust contemporary design in timber with
black metal work that had arm rests, with a reasonably high seating height. This is
the style of the existing seating, which consultees felt should be refurbished.
2.6.2
Refurbishment of the existing seating is effective in terms of both appearance and
costs.
2.6.3
The existing seating locations have been reviewed and the proposed locations are
shown indicatively on the plan attached at Appendix 2.
3
LITTER BINS
3.1
Consultee’s views were sought on three types of litter bins, as shown:
High tech bin
Cast iron bin
Steel seat
3.2
There was a clear preference for the cast iron bin. A significant number of people
also liked the hi-tech bin as they thought it important to support recycling in and
around the town.
3.3
The responses made are shown below:
3.4
Number and location of bins
3.4.1
There was no strong view regarding the quantity of litter bins. Virtually no one
thought that there were too few. There were many comments about litter and litter
being a problem, and people wanted bins located in litter hot spots.
3.4.2
Consultees wished to see more bins outside McDonalds as there was a lot of litter
there. It was also pointed out that McDonalds had entered an agreement to keep
the area outside their business clear of rubbish and McDonalds need to be
reminded of this. Consultees highlighted that another rubbish hot spot at the
western end of Winchester Street.
3.4.3
It was widely commented that the bins needed to be emptied more regularly, the
outside of the bins cleaned more often as well as people being encouraged to put
their litter into the bin or take it home. A number of people asked for the existing
recycling bins to be removed as they said that they were an eye sore, although
this was not a widely expressed view.
3.4.4
The need for bins, and therefore the distribution through the Top of the Town area,
is closely tied to how bad the litter problem is. It is noted that simply having more
bins will not in itself address a litter problem and that improved maintenance and
public attitude are also both important in addressing this.
3.5
Summary
The existing bins should be replaced with the cast iron style of bin. The existing
litter bin locations have been reviewed and the proposed locations are shown
indicatively on the plan attached at Appendix 2. Overall, the number of litter bins
will reduce by two.
4
PLANTERS
4.1
Consultees were invited to comment on planting and the type of planter within to
the Top of the Town area.
4.2
The following photographs show the three styles of planter that were consulted on.
Refurbished planter
Cast iron planter
Granite Planter
4.3
Preferred style of planter
4.3.1
The consultation shows a clear preference for refurbishing the existing planters,
and if new planters are to be provided, that these should be of granite style to
complement the refurbished planters.
4.4
Amount of planting
4.4.1
There was overwhelming support for more planting within the Top of the Town
area.
4.5
Summary
4.5.1
In light of the comments made it is suggested that the existing planters are
refurbished and that these are supplemented with new complementary granite
planters strategically located within the Top of the Town area.
4.5.2
The existing planter locations have been reviewed and the proposed locations for
new granite style planters are shown indicatively on the plan attached at Appendix
2.