[19
MAR 01] SPON END FORUM NEWS
Coventry Groups' SOS Appeal For Area
An
alliance of community groups has launched a ten day SOS to try and
“save” a historic part of Coventry from a series of developments.
Eight
residents associations and interest groups have joined forces to wage
a campaign against Coventry City Council’s plans for Spon End.
A
consultation process has been started by the city council on the
redesign of the Hearsall Lane/Spon End junction, the demolition of
Stanley Terrace and the possible introduction of a new bus lane for
‘Bus Showcase’.
Groups
in the area have now launched the Save Old Spon campaign to organise
opposition to the plans.
Kevin
Noble, of the Spon End and Lower Coundon Red Brick Residents Group,
said:
“The
local community feel that the city council is trying to rush through
the plans and has been dishonest about its long term plan for the
area.
“There
is evidence that the council have also insisted on road widening in
the Butts, as a condition of the relocation of the rugby ground to
the Butts Stadium.
“Furthermore
the city council’s own five year development plan proposes that
heavy traffic currently using the Holyhead Road be transferred to
Allesley Old Road and Spon End. All of the evidence points to
increased traffic loads through the area.”
Ron
Harrington, chair of OSCA (Old Spon Community Association), which was
set up by residents and businesses in Spon End and Broomfield Place in
reaction to the plan, said the council’s traffic engineers were not
considering the area’s historic importance.
He
said:
“Many
of the buildings have been Grade II listed and Stanley Terrace due
to be demolished is categorised as ‘Green Code’ on the
Council’s own conservation list.
“Residents
living in the most ancient buildings (some dating back to the early
1400's) already experience vibration to the houses from passing
heavy traffic.
“Old
Spon End is unique as a medieval suburb of Coventry within the inner
city and residents and traders are already endeavouring to
regenerate the area.”
The
Save Old Spon Campaign group is an alliance of the following local
organisations:
Old
Spon Community Association (OSCA); Red Brick Residents Group; Spon End
Estate Residents Association (SEERA); Chapelfields Residents
Association; Allesley Park Residents Association; Spon End Building
Preservation Trust; Coventry Watch Museum Project.
The
group is calling for the council’s cabinet to reject the plans, and
instead initiate a wider debate about the future of the Spon End area.
They
have also demanded improvements including:
-
the
character of the area be enhanced and protected
-
that
Stanley Terrace be refurbished as residential accommodation
-
the
withdrawal of plans to transfer traffic loads from Holyhead Road
-
traffic
calming along the Butts and Spon End to increase community safety
-
additional
pedestrian crossing facilities and a traffic light controlled
junction with Windsor St
-
a
fuller consultation about ‘Bus Showcase’ through the Spon End
area from the initial design stage
-
the
minor redesign of the Hearsall Lane to increase pedestrian safety
Leaflets
and posters are being distributed in the area, and the group is today
launching a petition and preparing to lobby councillors and local MP
Geoffrey Robinson.
SEE
[14 MAR 01] OSCA RISES TO SAVE
HISTORIC PART OF COVENTRY
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