It seems that this is to show support for businesses (shops) in Worthing, but there are some cynics that think that changes in the rules about business rates have aroused the prospect of higher council income if they can sweet-talk businesses to move into Montague Street (although the rates are in fact most of the reason why small businesses can't afford to).
However from a transport point of view, this section from the WBC meeting minutes ("Use of Section 106 Public Realm Enhancement" - should read "Can we spend transport money to make Montague Street look nicer?") of 14 May 2013 is interesting:
The Council was informed that the estimated cost of works was upwards of £1m with £250k of funding committed by West Sussex County Council funded from an underspend in its Infrastructure Fund.So we seem to have a spare quarter of a million pounds of infrastructure money, that WSCC has failed to spend. Why do they say they have no money to fund sustainable transport in Worthing then?
The report recommended that eligible s106 funding be made available to the County Council to replace the existing paving and improve the public realm in Montague Street and Warwick Street (depending on available funding).Quite. This S106 money is gained to off-set the impact of new developments, and not to be used for maintaining existing streets with no practical impact on transport or any other public facility.
Some Members questioned the amount of money available and expressed concerns that the s106 funding would be better used for other schemes such as those around Lyons Farm, Portland Road or contributing towards consultation on the 20’s Plenty scheme.I agree entirely. The biggest problem for Worthing, and Worthing shops in the town centre, is the traffic congestion and competition (with free parking) from the Lyons Farm superstores. Hardly anyone travels into Worthing town centre for their food shopping any more, and that directly impacts on other shop visits on the same trip into town.
The Leader of the Council stated that it was important for the Council to put something back into the Town Centre to show local traders that Worthing Borough Council supports them. He acknowledged that there wasn’t enough money to do everything but this scheme was a significant step in the right direction.Doesn't the Council want to support all Worthing residents? The 20's Plenty scheme benefits everyone, including local shops, for less than half the money. 20's Plenty benefits the public purse very strongly, with a popularity rate and return-on-investment that should make politicians jump to implement it (as they are, except in West Sussex!).
Why does the Council need to spend public money on expensive schemes to benefit just private businesses? What evidence do the Council have that re-paving Montague street will benefit Worthing shops anyway - what is the return on the investment calculated to be?
It was noted that requests had been received from both the Worthing Town Centre Initiative and the Chamber of Commerce in regards to improving the paving along Montague Street.Well, those organisations would say that, wouldn't they!
Have they forgotten about the thousands of requests from local residents for 20's Plenty to be implemented?
Members were dissatisfied with the paving in the Town Centre and observed it was well below the quality of that in both Chichester and Horsham. It was noted that Montague Street had been designed as a pedestrian precinct but regularly had vehicles passing along it which damaged the paving and therefore the new paving should be of a quality to withstand this usage.Personally the quality of the paving isn't something that might stop me going into town to buy things. Worthing is still an excellent shopping centre, with a mix of large national chain shops and smaller local retailers. What does put me off is the danger from motor traffic everywhere, especially on the way into town!
Members requested that West Sussex County Council insist that utility companies reinstate the paving like for like following future works.Surely they already insist on that? If the damage is done by utility companies, why are the repairs being paid for by the local tax-payer?
West Sussex Transport would be an awful lot better if WSCC spent transport infrastructure money on transport infrastructure, and not on pedestrian precinct re-vamps.
