Council / Call made to look at ‘bigger picture’ of traffic management in areas with narrow streets
THE NARROW nature of some historic Shetland streets and how they fit into a modern, motorised world was raised in the council chamber on Wednesday.
The areas in brought up in discussion were some of the streets around Scalloway and also Commercial Street in Lerwick.
Shetland Central member Davie Sandison said there is a “need to think about the bigger picture” as well as the longer term in Scalloway – particularly given that more buses of tourists are coming into the village.
The issue cropped up in discussion as the SIC’s planning committee approved refreshed character appraisals for Shetland’s three conservation areas.
These are Lerwick Lanes, Lerwick New Town and Scalloway.
The SIC last adopted appraisals of the three conservation areas in 2010, with a refreshed look recently undertaken.
The refreshed appraisals have not resulted in any boundary changes.
The contrast between historic streets in the conservation zones and the motorised vehicles of today was brought up in discussion at Wednesday’s meeting.
Sandison said it is “all about the world we live in nowadays”.
He highlighted how Scalloway, which is well known for having some narrow streets and roads, was designed long before motorised transport.
“We really are now needing to be thinking about what we need for a modern village,” Sandison said.
“Things that are enhancing the traffic management, and traffic flow and parking arrangements, are always going to be really difficult when you’ve got narrow streets.
“There is a need to think about the bigger picture and think longer term about how to deal with that, because it isn’t going to go away.”
The councillor, who lives in the village, said there are now “bus loads” of tourists coming to Scalloway to visit the museum next to the castle, and to look around.
“You’ve got to get the balance right between the buildings that are very much part of the conservation area and the need for how to actually operate in a small village with narrow streets,” he said.
The character appraisal for Scalloway said that some parts of Main Street are narrow, where “two-way traffic” is difficult.
“The lanes and closes to the north are even more of a challenge for traffic,” it added.
“Pavements have been provided in some places and ease pedestrian and vehicular conflict to a certain extent.”
Meanwhile Lerwick councillor Wenger also spoke about Commercial Street.
He said he often walks through the street, including in the evenings.
Wenger remarked on the number of vehicles driving through the length the street, which can be quite narrow.
“I really feel not safe often when I walk there and the car is coming from behind,” he said.
The councillor highlighted the point near to the R.A.M. Knitwear shop as being particularly narrow.
The character appraisal for the Lerwick Lanes conservation area said: “Commercial Street was historically the main thoroughfare through the town.
“It is now largely pedestrian as its winding and narrow character is not suited to modern traffic levels.”
Lerwick South member Cecil Smith said he agreed with Wenger but said there are “very few” traffic restrictions on the street – and the ones that are in place are not always being followed.
During the day traffic on the main part of the street should be restricted to deliveries and blue badge access, but Smith said some people are just driving through.
“Until we can get some further restrictions on Commercial Street…then we are where we are at the moment,” Smith said.
The Lerwick councillor also said any changes in the town – such as the Lerwick Lanes project being led by the council – should be “sympathetic” to the area.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
