SUPPLEMENTARY DOCUMENT 1 Reinvigorate York: Public
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EXHIBITION SQUARE/THEATRE INTERCHANGE SUPPLEMENTARY DOCUMENT 1 Reinvigorate York: Public Consultation Responses Exhibition Square/Theatre Interchange (Q1-11) Analysis of Comments & Feedback from Consultation Consultation Responses: Email 54 Letter 4 Questionnaires 136 Surveymonkey 457 TOTAL 651 NB. The ‘total’ figures for each question vary as not everyone answered every question (Q1-28) in the survey. The origin of responses is coded as follows: SM - Surveymonkey (online response) Q – Questionnaire (paper response) E – Email L – Letter SE - Stakeholder Event GRF - Guildhall Residents Forum 1 EXHIBITION SQUARE/THEATRE INTERCHANGE SUMMARY TABLES OF QUANTITATIVE QUESTIONS (No’s: 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10) Question 1 – Do you agree with the vision for Exhibition Square? Answer Responses % Agree 314 57 Disagree 188 34 Don’t Know 43 8 Partially agree 6 1 Total 551 100 Question 4 - Do you think that space at Exhibition Square should be reallocated from bus services to pedestrians? Answer Responses % Agree 276 50 Disagree 229 42 Don’t Know 43 8 Total 548 100 Question 6 – Do you think that the statue should be: Answer Responses % a) Kept within the Square 383 70.5 b) Relocated somewhere else 146 27 c) Dismantled and stored 9 1.5 Other (3 A or B, 2 don’t know) 5 1 Total 543 100 2 EXHIBITION SQUARE/THEATRE INTERCHANGE Question 7 – Do you think that: Answer Responses % a) The existing fountain should be kept 261 48.5 b) A new modern water feature should be provided in the Square 184 34 c) No water feature should be provided in the Square 84 15.5 Other (5 A or B, 1 A and B, 2 B or C, 1 don’t know) 9 2 Total 538 100 Question 9 – Do you agree with the proposed type of paving for Exhibition Square? Answer Responses % Agree 335 62 Disagree 147 27 Don’t Know 59 11 Partially Agree 1 0 Total 542 100 Question 10 – Do you agree that the two existing bus shelters should be replaced with a single, larger shelter? Answer Responses % Agree 261 48 Disagree 186 34 Don’t Know 93 17 Total 540 100 3 EXHIBITION SQUARE/THEATRE INTERCHANGE Question 2 – What sort of public activities would you like to see in Exhibition Square during the day time or in the evening? Question 3 - Please let us know if you have any other comments on the vision for the Square: Question 5 - Do you have any comments or concerns about how the proposals may affect the bus services at Exhibition Square? Question 8 – Are there any other features in the Square that you value, would like to see provided or would like to change? Question 11 – Please let us know if you have any other comments or alternative suggestions for the Exhibition Square and Theatre Interchange Scheme: SUMMARY TABLE OF TOPICS FROM QUALATATIVE QUESTIONS (No’s: 2, 3, 5, 8, 11) TOPIC NOTES Activities Some thought the beauty of the square was its calm peaceful character, and activities should remain in other Squares in the city. The Association of Voluntary Guides provide a valuable free resource for tourists. Gallery and café could open into the evening. Cultural, artistic activities linked to the theatre and gallery: Art, theatre, story telling, re-enactment guides, voluntary guides, street performers, comedy, rallies, music, exhibitions, public peaking/ meetings, sculpture, readings, cinema, big screen, busking, street art, ice/ roller skating, children’s events/ play space, community events, free tai-chi, fitness, outdoor sports, craft fairs, markets, food stalls, skateboard, BMX, carpet bowls, chess, draughts, dominoes, climbing wall. Others felt that activities and noise were unnecessary in this location. Seating Extra public seating in addition to the café seating, picnicing, waiting for buses, and enjoyi ng the ambience of the Square. Retain memorial plaques from current benches. Possibly some covered seating? Bins The need for litter bins was noted . Café Most people were in favour of an outdoor café. Those against a street café were concerned about its appearance, and also it impeding movement within the Square. Food/ market stalls Occ asional local markets (craft/ famers market/ flower/ charity) stalls or a street food area were suggested by some, whilst others were against commercial stalls and food traders in the square. Quiet place Some noted that Exhibition Square is currently a quiet place away from the city centre, to sit and enjoy the atmosphere of the square, and should retain its relaxing character. Create a small space within the space that feels quiet and safe, slightly separated from the larger space whilst in view and with views of the bustle and activity. (York JRF: Dementia Without Walls) 4 EXHIBITION SQUARE/THEATRE INTERCHANGE Transport/ Access/ Traffic Connectivity, buses, Disabled Access, Noise/ pollution Lendal Bridge Some felt that traffic is main problem an d should be kept to a minimum with Lendal Bridge staying closed , whilst others want to see the restrictions removed. Others were confused about the rationale of closing Lendal Bridge to improve the bus service and reliability, whereas the reallocation of the space for bus services would seem to have the opposite effect. The decision on Lendal Bridge needs to come first. Statue The majority objected to moving the Etty statue from the square due to its historical significance in relation to Bootham Bar and the Art Gallery. Some felt it attracted vandalism/ should be cleaned/ replacement statue made/ were happy for it to move to the side to make the square more flexible. Some felt the statue should remain, whilst the water feature is not essential. Founta in Many people noted the calming nature of the water feature, and that the sound negates the traffic noise. People were more open to change with regard to the fountain than the statue. Some welcomed a modern replacement floor level fountain that could encourage play, and could be switched off occasionally to allow other activities in the square. Ensure any new form of fountain will be recognizable to those with visual impairments. Would require policing and maintenance. Incorporate a lighting scheme. Could it be solar powered? Open space Square should be as open and uncluttered as possible. Avoid use of tents and structures. Occasional activities. Encourage pedestrian use. Public toilets The need for refurbishment to the public toilets was noted . Exh ibition Square toilets are due to be replaced later this year with fully modernised facilities as part of a 15 year contract for the provision and maintenance of all our public toilets. Work will take place late spring/early summer 2014. Cycling Extra cy cle racks were encouraged by some, preferably discreet (Kings Manor railings, to rear of old council offices, side of art gallery…). Possibly covered, with lockers for commuters? Include guidance as to where cyclists should dismount aka Minster piazza. Separate cycle lane suggested. A minority felt that cycle racks created clutter, were intrusive in a pedestrian area and would disrupt pedestrian flow. Landscaping Support for Edible York beds, all year round colourful planting to often the Square, movea ble flower/ tree tubs, wildlife habitat corridor linking with new art gallery/ museum gardens, extend green area next to walls into Square, providing some shade and also provide a screen between square & road, reducing air pollution. Some preferred omitting planting to keep the Square simple and dignified – Museum Gardens and Dean's Park are nearby. Materials/ Paving Relay existing paving in keeping with York’s heritage. Non slip/ trip. Maximise permeable surface to minimize run -off. Learn from Kings Square. Don’t want bland vast paved area. Consider greenery. Good quality durable materials, york stone and setts. Avoid asphalt. Keep colour palette to a minimum. Definition between shared surfaces and pedestrian areas, e.g. access road to Kings Manor. Heritage Keep Kings Manor railings/ open vista by removing railings. View towards Minster must be recognized and enhanced. Historical features and York’s special ambience must be retained. Re-use existing materials. Need historic interpretation - define line of Roman fortress, evolution of townscape, importance of Kings Manor as one-time Parliament of the North, relevance of Etty statue. Street furniture and bus shelter should have a period feel. People come to York because of its heritage. 5 EXHIBITION SQUARE/THEATRE INTERCHANGE Pedestrians/ qu eues Greater priority should be given to pedestrians. Improve the pedestrian crossings, e.g. inter green phase at lights to allow diagonal crossing. Congestion and the need for improvements to the Bootham Bar/ Gillygate junction was noted repeatedly – removal of mid point waiting area. Ensure clear and safe route across the square (currently cut across bus turning area) including wheelchair users, dropped kerb outside Kings Manor is inadequate, leading across cobbles to narrow path behind bus shelters. Raise pavement to create sleeping policemen at all crossing points. Depends on Lendal Bridge decision. Pedestrian zone must be enforced to be effective. Pedestrian congestion and queues at bus stops need to be addressed, show separation, careful siting of shelter. Many pedestrians are bus users! Need pedestrian link to Theatre. Shared space approach. No cycles or blue badge traffic. Some opposed narrowing of the road to extend the pedestrianised area and felt there was enough pedestrian space already. Disabled Access Audio button for bus times. Need kerbs to differentiate between road and pavement. Dropped kerbs for wheelchair users. Are green/ blue badge holders going to be able to access the area? Continue to allow drop off of disabled passengers in front of art gallery/ theatre. Leave bus access alone, people with limited mobility need to be dropped off centrally. Retain access to Kings Manor for disabled students. Provide disabled parking (e.g. St Leonard’s car park). Bus shelters should be near stops for those with limited mobility.