The Plans have attracted the support of Peter Speirs, who is the head of the local chamber of commerce. Further backing for the proposals could be generated if printing services in Southampton Hedge End are used to promote the change. Speirs has said:
“I would like to see the whole town centre pedestrianised. Romsey is an absolute nightmare for wheelchair users with the uneven pavements in the town and all the traffic. Bell Street and the Market Place should all be done.”
Speirs has welcomed enhancements to Church Street because of his concerns over safety. As someone who has been running a sweet shop, ‘Humbugs’, on Latimer Street, he has also perhaps been motivated by what he thinks is best for his business.
However, Speirs has not been inflexible in his arguments. If the local authority is not persuaded by the car-free strategy, he has said low speed limits would be a useful way forward.
Mark Edgerley, who manages the town centre, has not yet been convinced by the argument for pedestrianizing the area. However, Edgerley has conceded that motorists in the area should behave better than they have been doing. He has expressed his belief in fostering cooperation between the different groups who use local roads.
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