Wisbech Market Place Fate in the Hands of Facebook?
By Laura_Spodula | Wednesday, June 23, 2010, 21:33
We all know the story, but in case you don't, then quite frankly where have you been?! We finally thought that the Market Place saga was drawing to a close and the final decision had been made, but it doesn't seem to be the case.
Plain and simply there were two options. Option One was to completely pedestrianise the area of the Market Place. Option Two was vehicle access with some paid parking.
Basically the story goes that Option Two was the most popular choice with people and other committees and bodies who had a say but the council still opted for Option One concluding that it would be better in the long run. So now everything is almost back to the start, but it does mean, you, citizens of Wisbech and beyond can still have a say in what you think should happen.
Councillor David Wheeler has set up two groups on Facebook, one for Option One and the other for Option Two, it is upto you to decide which side of the fence you sit. The results of which will be brought up in the next meeting regarding this situation and it will then hopefully be drawn to a close.
Will this ever actually end?
Comments
The consequences of getting it wrong are pretty serious. When things are that important - and when people are so split over what should be done - decisions do drag on. You can look at it as "taking too long to make a decision" or as "being sure not to make the wrong decision no matter how long it takes" depending on whether you are a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty sort of person. Do remember that these are people's businesses, their livelihoods - and some of these shops have served the people of Wisbech for decades. Even though it might be politically easy to say: "Just Do It!" and lump one decision or another down - and while the public might have cheered that excitedly - if it was the *wrong* decision that would be a disservice to the town. And make no mistake - people are REALLY split on this. The public consultation came out virtually 50/50. Wisbech councillors mostly want Option 2, March councillors on the FDC cabinet preferred Option 1 - and this really does stir emotions and strong feelings. I prefer to think of this as a good thing - even if it seems to have taken forever. This is because people care - because they passionately want the best for the town. This isn't true of councils and communities everywhere - it is something to be proud of even if it does seem to be a long, slow slog.
By Cllr Steve Tierney at 00:14 on 25/06/10
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