Pedestrianise Market Place

THE Wisbech Branch of the Labour Party is greatly concerned at the continuing farce over the Market Place and Fenland District Council's inability to come to a decision about pedestrianisation.

There have been more than sufficient consultations on the Market Place and we consider there is no reason for Fenland Council to continue to duck the issue.

When previous consultations on the Market Place were held the public's view was that they wanted proper pedestrianisation.

At that time, in January 2003, Conservative Town Councillors voted for the return of through traffic but in March 2003, after hearing the views of the public, agreed to withdraw this proposal.

In August 2003, after local government elections had taken place, Conservative Town Councillors once again voted for the return of through traffic to the Market Place and High Street. Obviously as the elections had taken place the views of the public were no longer of any concern to Conservative Councillors.

The Wisbech branch of the Labour Party and its Councillors at both Fenland District and Wisbech Town have, and do, oppose the reckless and dangerous Wisbech Conservatives proposal for the return through traffic to our town centre.

We call upon Fenland District Council to come to a decision now to scrap the Conservative-controlled Wisbech Town Council proposal and without further delay to introduce a full properly-controlled and enforced pedestrianisation system for the Market Place which takes account of business access and delivery needs, and to make adequate provision for disabled parking in appropriate areas.

Further, with local government elections due to take place this year, we urge voters to question the stance Conservative candidates have on this matter as in the past the wishes of the electorate do not appear to have been uppermost in their minds once they have been elected.

ROGER WARD

Chairman

Wisbech branch

North-East Cambs Labour Party