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Letter: Save the Money Earmarked for Chapel Street and Erect a Statue of ‘Mr Guildford’
Published on: 8 Aug, 2018
Updated on: 8 Aug, 2018
From Bob McShee
Conservative borough councillor for Worplesdon
In response to: Chapel Street Proposal Still Unclear As Councillor Reports Lack of Consultation
I walked down Chapel Street and found that it reminded me of the ‘Shambles’ in historic York, this part of Guildford should be kept in its present condition without being spoilt by a costly refurbishment scheme.
The only items in need of refurbishment are the water trough, which should be cleaned up and perhaps planted with flowers, lavender or low growing shrubs, and some of the paving on the pavements where are uneven.
The traders in Tunsgate have suffered months of misery and loss of revenue whilst the council’s contractors installed the new setts at a cost of £837,00.
No, leave Chapel Street alone and save the money – or put up a statue to “Mr. Guildford”, the late Bill Bellerby.
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Responses to Letter: Save the Money Earmarked for Chapel Street and Erect a Statue of ‘Mr Guildford’
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"Found any?" - "Nope, it all looks green to me!" (See Opinion: The Future is Congested, the Future is Grey)
Mary Redgwell
August 9, 2018 at 5:41 pm
A very good idea.
Bernard Parke
August 10, 2018 at 9:46 am
Both Bill and Doreen dedicated their whole lives to the people of their adopted home here in Guildford.
Although we were of different parties they were true friends.
May I say that politics is one thing friendship is another.
The latter is of far greater value.
Anna-Marie Davis
August 10, 2018 at 2:01 pm
Remember this Council knocked down the theatre previously named in their honour, and that whilst Doreen was still with us.
The current Executive has no respect for true Guildfordians, only money and power, and sadly the opposition are toothless and spend more time defending the actions of the Council than questioning them. A sorry state of affairs to be sure.
Linda Campbell Heather
August 10, 2018 at 6:24 pm
It would be lovely to see Mr and Mrs Guildford in Chapel Street together they both helped all of us in Guildford.
Jan Todd
August 10, 2018 at 8:13 pm
I have no desire to upset anybody, or in any way whatsoever diminish what the Bellerbys did for Guildford, but regardless of whether Chapel Street justifies refurbishment, I cannot see that two people who devoted themselves to public service would ever want or expect a statue erected in their honour, rather than for those funds to be spent in some meaningful way to improve the town they clearly loved.
Ruth Brothwell
January 21, 2020 at 6:16 pm
The refurbishment of Chapel Street is all about enabling accessibility. The photos show the pavements which are narrow, broken and uneven – as sadly is much of our town centre.
In an important gateway such as this it is surely right that families with buggies, people in wheelchairs and the less able are allowed to walk unhindered without looking down at every step they take. Walking on the uneven setts is safer than on the pavements and not desirable.
This is not about changing the character of this lovely road at all – it’s about just making it safer and usable by all our community.
Gordon Bridger
January 23, 2020 at 10:36 am
I suggest that anyone concerned about the preservation of one our few character streets should take a walk along it as I do most days.
The setts certainly do need attention. What is required is for then to be reset to the standards of those in the High street.
This could be done fairly easily and without great disturbance.
Those who are concerned about access should then have no complaint.
Improvements proposed for lighting, control of vehicles and a mural are fine.
Some earlier proposals to get rid of the pavement and level the street have now, I am glad to say, have been abandoned.
However, a proposal to raise the level of the setts to that of pavements seems an unnecessary extravagance and disturbance.
I understand there will be an exhibition shortly and the public will be allowed to comment.
Proposals to extend setts to Swan Lane are a good idea. But the proposals of spening £540k or more on a “Castle Square” to “link Tunsgate with the Castle Grounds”, would be an extravagant waste of money and will be reviewed.
What has happened is a budget of £1,25k now increased was based on extending the out of character Tunsgate paving ( now often oil stained) of Tunsgate to the other 4 streets .
Very considerable savings could and have been made which could usefully be redirected to to repairing pavements in other parts town – which are a SCC responsibility ( as this scheme should have been)