Deansgate Boulevard
On an unfamiliar departure from my usual slanted view of the world and this fair city of Manchester, I write this time with news of a positive nature and no hint of the usual faintly veiled apathy with which I normally report. This news, you see, is as pure as good news gets. It’s like a spring emerging from a mountain side, untainted and clear. As long as you don’t see the dead sheep rotting into the ground 20 metres uphill.
Plans are afoot for Deansgate, that famed thoroughfare that strikes its path right through the belly of this town, to become pedestrianised. Following the recent works that have made vehicular access impossible, many people are now so used to a car-free Deansgate, and refreshed at not having to risk their lives while dodging around an illegally parked footballer’s Aston Martin to catch their bus, that they’re lobbying for the no vehicles rule to become permanent. And...this is the best bit...the council appear to be listening to them.
"The work on Deansgate has clearly targeted an interest...to look at options of pedestrianisation and we will listen,” so says Jim Battle, deputy leader of Manchester council. “"The principle of pedestrianisation is understood and it's a question of how we could practically apply that. We are at a stage where people are coming forward with ideas and we will listen."
This is cause for some celebration. Or rather it would be if such words from an elected member could be believed without resorting to the default mindset when such a person (see also politicians) opens their mouth, which is, of course, one of extreme suspicion. He tempers his gushing positivity with the following statement, “For example we could perhaps look at the idea of pedestrianisation on certain days of the week or times of the year.” Hmm...that’ll be the rotting sheep then. We’ll probably end up with it being closed to cars between 4am-7am. Or only on days of the week beginning with G.
Still, it’s a nice idea and one that hopefully will be taken to a conclusion that befits the wishes of the people. Those are the thoughts that I shall take away with me as I leave this city, and these shores, for two weeks of recreation in a warmer, computer free climate. I’ll leave you with a picture of a car-free Deansgate. Just imagine is without the cones and the cage-like fencing. Or the massive trench in the ground.
Plans are afoot for Deansgate, that famed thoroughfare that strikes its path right through the belly of this town, to become pedestrianised. Following the recent works that have made vehicular access impossible, many people are now so used to a car-free Deansgate, and refreshed at not having to risk their lives while dodging around an illegally parked footballer’s Aston Martin to catch their bus, that they’re lobbying for the no vehicles rule to become permanent. And...this is the best bit...the council appear to be listening to them.
"The work on Deansgate has clearly targeted an interest...to look at options of pedestrianisation and we will listen,” so says Jim Battle, deputy leader of Manchester council. “"The principle of pedestrianisation is understood and it's a question of how we could practically apply that. We are at a stage where people are coming forward with ideas and we will listen."
This is cause for some celebration. Or rather it would be if such words from an elected member could be believed without resorting to the default mindset when such a person (see also politicians) opens their mouth, which is, of course, one of extreme suspicion. He tempers his gushing positivity with the following statement, “For example we could perhaps look at the idea of pedestrianisation on certain days of the week or times of the year.” Hmm...that’ll be the rotting sheep then. We’ll probably end up with it being closed to cars between 4am-7am. Or only on days of the week beginning with G.
Still, it’s a nice idea and one that hopefully will be taken to a conclusion that befits the wishes of the people. Those are the thoughts that I shall take away with me as I leave this city, and these shores, for two weeks of recreation in a warmer, computer free climate. I’ll leave you with a picture of a car-free Deansgate. Just imagine is without the cones and the cage-like fencing. Or the massive trench in the ground.
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