High noon for High Row

WHEN Darlington Borough Council announced its aim to transform the town centre, officials had it in mind to close the gap on traditional rivals Middlesbrough, Newcastle and York.

Sweeping changes were proposed - the relocation of the Joseph Pease statue, new water features, lighting columns, a whole new look for the 21st Century.

Most importantly, pedestrians were to be given a safer shopping environment, courtesy of the removal of traffic from a bustling centre that once had buses stretching as far as the eye could see.

The artist's impression drew admiring glances.

But for the various pockets of protestors, therein lay the problem.

The finer details were said to be missing. Would cyclists be weaving among shoppers? Would the finished product leave Darlington looking no different to countless town centres across the land?

And one of the most keenly fought battles of all - would the changes strip Darlington of the historic features that give it its character?

The fate of High Row has increasingly come to the fore in recent weeks.

The Labour-controlled council is adamant that it will change for the better, insisting that it will immeasurably raise Darlington's profile in the competitive retail stakes.

Indeed, those in favour of change advance the argument that the Victorians dramatically altered the face of the town to create the look that is much-loved today.

But for the critics, the changes are unacceptable. Darlington Civic Trust is battling to protect the Victorian balustrades and iron railings that have stood for decades.

And its members believe they have public opinion on their side - more than 1,000 people signed a petition against the scrapping of High Row features last weekend.

Cycling will be allowed in the pedestrianised area for a six-month trial period.

The council has pledged that it will monitor the public response to the experiment and, if problems are reported, axe the idea.

The design of the scheme was approved by cabinet members this week, with the item taking up little more than five minutes of councillors' time.

Now, listed building consent, conservation area approval and planning permission must be secured.

It is guaranteed that the dispute will have escalated long before those stages are reached.

HIGH ROW PEDESTRIANISATION: Voices from all sides of the debate

Darlington Association on Disability

Association chairman Gordon Pybus said: "Darlington Association on Disability has always campaigned for good access in the town centre for disabled people.

"It is negative attitude and bad design that makes somebody a disabled person, not their impairment.

"With the vast array of impairments, it is important that any planned scheme, such as the pedestrian heart, strikes a fair balance and caters as far as possible for all disabled people in its design.

"Darlington Association on Disability has concerns over the details in the proposed pedestrian heart.

"For instance, allowing cyclists in the scheme and the times delivery vehicles would be allowed in, and the design of ramps all these issues require more consideration. However, we are confident compromise can be reached and our concerns allayed.

"The pedestrian heart will of course create problems for some disabled people.

"However a lot of disabled people will benefit from the scheme. For example, the proposed design to the High Row would make a vast improvement from the makeshift ramps and handrails, which exists at present.

"Darlington Association on Disability will continue to work with Darlington Borough Council to reach a design solution that benefits as many disabled people as possible."

Darlington Borough Council

Borough council leader John Williams said: "The £4m restoration of South Park; the £2m project that transformed a dilapidated car park into Darlington's historic Market Place; a beautifully preserved covered market building; the recent £200,000 refurbishment of the magnificent clock tower; the Northgate Heritage scheme - all of these are Darlington council projects that protect and preserve our wonderful heritage.

"Our track record demonstrates that we care passionately for our town and the unique character that makes it what it is.

"But our town must move forward. It must attract new shops and businesses, so that the economy prospers and residents and visitors can enjoy the benefits.

"The council has employed the best designers to create a scheme that will retain Darlington's wonderful heritage, that will be built with traditional materials, that will stand the test of time and that will be traffic-free, safe and accessible to all.

"High Row will change, but for the better. Out will go the 1990s' concrete and resin replica features, the posts made from salvaged iron and all of the features that English Heritage deems 'not of sufficient architectural or historic interest and too altered to merit listing'.

"The Victorians changed the look of the original High Row without a thought for heritage.

"The pedestrian heart scheme will give the town centre back to pedestrians."

Darlington Conservative Association

Leader of the Darlington Conservative group, Councillor Tony Richmond, said: "The Conservative group agrees with the principle of pedestrianisation, but all along we have said we will reserve our final judgement until we see the details, because the devil is in the detail.

"The features of it that we do have concerns about include the town hall removing all of the historic aspects of the existing town centre.

"It is ironic and hypocritical when you consider that they are retaining the Victorian heritage in the refurbishment of South Park.

"If that was an objective in the South Park project, why couldn't it also be an objective in the refurbishment of the town centre?

"We also have concerns about the cycling aspect. If cyclists could simply dismount and wheel their bicycles until they are out of the town centre, there would be no problem.

"The town centre is not that big, so there would be no major inconvenience incurred.

"Pedestrians would be safe and there would be no need for a six-month experimental period."

Darlington Partnership

PARTNERSHIP chairman Alasdair MacConachie said: "The proposals for the pedestrianising of Darlington have received principled support from all sections of Darlington Partnership.

"It is rare that those representing businesses, the community, statutory services and the voluntary sector all agree on the principle of a scheme and are keen to see it progress for the continued growth and evolution of the town.

"There are, of course, details that still need to be resolved, but I am confident that through a proper engagement by all involved, this will take place and that the designs will be realised and a new era for our town centre will begin.

"It is intriguing looking at how the physical shape of Darlington has evolved through many hundreds of years and I believe that this should continue.

"The beauty of heritage buildings such as the clock tower, indoor market, Barclays Bank and those around the square, as well as Joseph Pease's statue, will be enhanced by the new designs, which will ensure that Darlington continues to impress visitors and locals alike.

"When the work is completed, the mix of the old and the new will ensure that our enviable heritage will help launch us into a brighter, sustainable future."

Cornmill Shopping Centre

IN a statement, the centre said: "The Cornmill draws on a catchment population of 360,000 people, with our main competitors identified as MetroCentre, Middlesbrough and Newcastle - all of which are either fully or partially pedestrianised.

"With many shoppers travelling to these out-of-town locations because of ease of use, comfortable, safe and welcoming environments, the proposals by Darlington Borough Council are seen by the Cornmill as an indication of the council's commitment to improving the quality of the town and its economy.

"Darlington is an established sub-regional shopping centre. It offers a mix of traditional with modern, and the pedestrianisation plans will draw on this mix to create a safer shopping environment.

"With many shoppers currently spending less than two hours in the town centre, the introduction of street cafes, events areas and the re-allocation of traffic throughout the scheme will make a visit to Darlington town centre a more pleasurable experience.

"The opportunity this presents to existing and potential businesses is simple - the longer people shop, the more they spend, the more they spend the more businesses and the town will benefit as a whole.

"This will improve our choices as consumers and offer new employment opportunities for the residents of Darlington."

North-East Chamber of Commerce

THE chamber's Tees Valley area manager, Rob McMullen, said: "The North-East is blazing trails for the quality and vision of projects that are transforming our landscape.

"You need only look at the dramatic alterations to Gateshead and Newcastle quaysides and the plans for vast swathes of Middlesbrough to appreciate that change is moving apace.

"Darlington has a rich history of trail-blazing, particularly on the railways, but faces being shunted into the economic sidings if it does not embrace plans for a pedestrian heart to its shopping area.

"The borough council has taken all the right steps to create a unique, visionary and workable blueprint for the future.

"I feel a sense of incredulity that a set of balustrades that have been replaced over time should stand in the way of exciting plans to reinvigorate Darlington as a retail force.

"It is right and proper that commercial drive should not run roughshod over the past, but without these changes Darlington's former glory as a retail magnet will be a dim and distant history.

"This is not about making businesses richer, this is about creating a place where people can enjoy their shopping, make the most of a growing caf and restaurant culture and feel a sense of pride in eye-catching new surroundings."

Darlington Civic Trust

CIVIC trust vice-chairman Clive Owen said: "We are totally focused on High Row, which is the central part of Darlington's conservation area.

"When you want to alter things in a conservation area and change its character, you have to do a full appraisal of that character and this hasn't been done by the borough council.

"The proposals don't explain how the existing character is going to be changed.

"Up to 1997, the borough council, in partnership with Durham County Council, was carrying out a pedestrianisation and restoration scheme on High Row and got Government grants for that. We would like to see that restoration scheme continue.

"It will be wasted if they plough it all up. We will want to know if One NorthEast, the regional development agency, will be asking the council to repay those grants.

"We are not averse to changes, but any changes must ensure that the character is protected.

"What you have to imagine is a vintage car - when does it cease to be vintage after you have replaced the bonnets, the wheels, the seats and most of the engine?

"People really do care about this. We believe the council is misguided and has been given bad advice."