Time of the signs ... how to transform the Market Place

We've been paying special attention to the Market Place lately after the announcement that the borough has two million pounds to throw at a once in a lifetime redevelopment of it.
The first thing that stands out is the ridiculous swathe of pavement that runs from Boots the Chemist almost across the entire area.
It's there solely to create the chicane that allows the Into Town buses to monopolise the entire area, and helps contribute to the confusion that often overwhelms drivers trying to leave the area and rejoin the main traffic flow.
We note that it is currently daubed with marks that suggest chunks of it are due to be dug up in the not too distant future - so why not complete the job and get rid of it altogether?
The second existing cause of concern is the uneasy relationship between pedestrians and vehicles in the existing parking areas - particularly on the western side. Even locals seem to have difficulties with the fact that traffic has a marked route along through that shoppers on foot appear to regard as pedestrianised.
The third thing that baffles us completely is the surge of reaction from people who think that the best use of the Market Place is for parking cars.
Of course vehicles need to access the area. But to fill it with hundreds of cars for the entire day seems an absurd misuse of the area.
One of the reports commissioned by the council - the one that based its recommendations on the building of the now failed Merchants Quay development - made much of the fact that aside from the multi storey car park proposed for the West Street site, another similar parking facility should be incorporated.
This is about the only recommendation that still makes sense.
If the Market Place site is to be developed for the benefit of the local population (whose needs must come before those of visitors) then parking should be banned at street level but provided nearby. The only problem would be than the cost would probably swallow up all of the money allocated for the project, and more.
But as we've said before, this is a once and for all chance to create something that will enhance the centre of the town - so long as we avoid the temptation to build one of those off the shelf town centres that all look the same.
As a starter, one of our readers suggested the possibility of changing most - if not all - of the shop signage to make it in keeping with, say, a Georgian town centre. This would transform the look of the entire Market Place at a stroke, giving it an attractiveness and uniqueness that would make it a talking point and a true sight to see.
The idea could be taken further with colour schemes, street furniture - the list is endless and a huge effect could be achieved for proportionally little cost. Of course, the national store chains would baulk at the idea of dispensing with their garish modern logos, but it ought not to take a great deal of persuasion to get them to see that agreeing could bring huge publicity benefits.
And lest we forget .... a Market Place cannot be designed around a bus route.
The Into Town service must be re-routed so that we can once again enjoy a pleasurable shopping experience devoid of the noise and fumes from buses that herd us aside like sheep.

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