Exeter store move threat over traffic plan

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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This is Devon

RETAIL giant John Lewis  would be unlikely to open a  major new store in Exeter if  two-way traffic is reinstated in  Paris Street, it has emerged.

Opinion is strongly divided  over allowing traffic to again  flow in both directions through  the city centre, according to  feedback collected during the  county council’s ongoing consultation.

But store bosses and council  officials claim the move would  seriously jeopardise the bid to  bring John Lewis to Exeter.

Talks are continuing with the  retailer about opening a large  department store at the current  Exeter bus station site.

And the city remains hopeful  of attracting the prestigious retailer following years of careful  negotiations.

But in correspondence sent to  the county council’s consultation, which has been seen by the  Echo, developers involved in  the deal have warned that John  Lewis would be reluctant to occupy the site if Paris Street reverts to two-way traffic.

They fear the increase in  vehicles would effectively cut  off the store from the High  Street and Princesshay and  would not appeal to the retailer.

Nick Davis, development director for retail for Princesshay  developer Land Securities,  which is also landlord for 30  shops in Paris Street and Sidwell Street, said: “We are in  dialogue with all the major retail operators and in particular  John Lewis.

“We very much understand  Exeter’s desire to see John  Lewis in the city.

“It has to be said they are very  demanding in their expectations that pedestrian and  vehicular movement is substantially segregated.

“We would be concerned in  terms of the longer term regeneration of the bus station  area if Paris Street reverted to  two-way.”

He added that if the city was  intent on securing a major anchor store — including John  Lewis — to this location, the  authorities would  need to think  very seriously about further  measures to reduce traffic  through the heart of the city.

He said: “This is to ensure  that pedestrian footfall is high  enough to justify the investment.”

His view is backed by Andrew  McNeilly, centre manager for  the Guildhall Shopping Centre,  who called for the complete pedestrianisation of Paris Street.

He said: “If traffic continues  to be allowed in Paris Street —  and if two-way traffic is reinstated, the commercial viability  for a developer to invest in the  bus station site is significantly  negatively affected.

“Land Securities has talked to  John Lewis on many occasions  about the bus station site.

 “It is clear that one of their  significant reservations is this  traffic barrier on the upper part  of Paris Street. Ideally, the investor would wish to see all  traffic removed, or alternatively creating a bus only street  the same as the High Street.”

John Rigby, director of economy and development at Exeter City Council, recently revealed in the Echo he wanted to  see much wider pedestrianisation of the city centre.

In his submission to the Paris  Street consultation he said: “In  order to ensure that a scheme  for the redevelopment of the bus  station site is viable, it is important to remove the traffic  barrier to ensure that the bus  station site is properly tied in to  the rest of the city centre.”

Paris Street was temporarily  made one-way in 2006 during  the building of Princesshay,   which became permanent once  the shopping area was opened.

But the decision has proved  controversial with residents  and councillors divided on the  issue.

Many believe that it has added to congestion in Sidwell  Street, with traffic no longer  having a straight route through  the city from New North Road to  Heavitree.

A report produced by the  county council has since  claimed the one way system has  reduced traffic approaching the  Sidwell Street/High Street junction from both new North Road  and Paris Street by 30 per cent.

But this figure has been disputed by city taxi drivers, who  have constantly complained  about traffic backing up along  Sidwell Street.

It is understood that it would  cost up to £200,000 to make the  road two-way again.

City centre manager John  Harvey strongly urged highways bosses not to reinstate  two-way traffic.

“The key issue to come  through is the importance of  connectivity between both sides  of Paris Street and Sidwell  Street and the bus station with  the High Street and Princesshay,” he said.

“It is critical that we work  together in creating the pedestrian-friendly city centre that  will help us to ensure we secure  the much-needed inward investment to allow the process of city  centre change and renewal that  we have been steering through  over the last decade to continue.”

A John Lewis spokesman said  Exeter was a major retail centre  and it was monitoring what was  happening in the city.

 The responses submitted during the consultation will be discussed by councillors in April.

Tomorrow the Echo looks at  the arguments for reinstating  two-way traffic to Paris Street.

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19 Comments

  • Profile image for This is Devon

    by John, Exeter

    Thursday, March 11 2010, 1:39AM

    “£26 million!!!Just seen this on BBC-what happens when they hit Exeter???
    A £26m programme has been agreed to tackle traffic congestion in Exeter when a new town is built nearby.

    The Devon County Council plan includes a £5.5m pedestrian and cycle bridge over the M5, connecting the proposed new town of Cranbrook and Exeter.

    It also includes changes to junction 29 on the M5 and better access to Exeter's business parks.

    Devon planners hope the scheme will keep traffic moving despite an increase in residents, commuters and businesses.”

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    by Stuart Sims, Exeter

    Wednesday, March 10 2010, 10:13PM

    “What a load of hogwash - it never stopped Debenhams occupying the site oppsite when that was 2 way and it doesn't stop shoppers using that end of town. The planners have messed up in making it one way, and rather than admit it, they are blaming a company that may or may not bother to come to Exeter.
    We nearly got an Ikea down this way but the planners messed that up too, stores that want to be here will come if they think they can make money regardless of the site. Plus it will have to be redeveloped anyway so why not install an under pass like our "enemies" the French do.
    A tiny price to factor in to make Exeter more attractive to big stores.”

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    by Kim, Exeter

    Wednesday, March 10 2010, 9:13PM

    “Using Sidwell Street as the only route between New North Road and Heavitree is undoubtedly a pain - but we do need more jobs in Exeter - so if leaving the one way system as it is would be a condition for John Lewis etc to come here, I think that would be a reasonable trade-off. The bus station (and associated staff) would relocate - so new and prestigious stores on the current bus station site would both increase opportunities for employment, and raise Exeter's profile, while improving the look of that (now) dated area of the city.
    I think it makes sense to extend the (largely) pedestrian area to where new stores may locate - so leave the one way system where it is, and if that encourages more major retailers to come to our city .... bring it on!”

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    by claire, St Leonards

    Wednesday, March 10 2010, 8:57PM

    “They really didn't think about any of this properly, when they decided to alter Paris St. Had they not widened the pavement, you wouldn't get congestion everytime a bus stops in Paris st. This is a then felt on the Paris St roundabout, so blocks all cars using Sidwell St, trying to get to Heavitree. And how come Princesshay carpark can bring the city to gridlock, by people queuing right down to the roundabout, and blocking anyone getting passed. This completely blocks off businesses in Dix's field. The whole area traffic wise is a shambles, and the officials should be very embarrassed by the mess they have made.”

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    by Derek Headon, Exeter

    Wednesday, March 10 2010, 5:04PM

    “Either John Lewis want to open in Exeter or they do not, we have managed without them for several hundred years!
    When it comes to being told where they want to be situate and how we should alter our traffic flow to oblige them, that is just too much to swallow and I would remind the city employees concerned that the very large percentage of council tax payers obviously want to see Paris Street two way without any further procrastination!”

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