Following a meeting of representatives from both councils, Cheltenham BID and Cheltenham Civic Society on Monday 24th March, Gloucestershire County Council has put its plan to resurface part of the Promenade outside Cavendish House on hold.
Three of our trustees attended the meeting about the Prom, which we believe was brought about by the pressure generated by our campaign against the tarmac plan and the 2,000+ signatories of our petition.
At the meeting – which was held on the Prom – the Highway Authority (GCC) agreed to halt the tarmac plan so that further research and different options can be put forward and be properly considered.
We are particularly pleased at this result, but we need and expect to be fully involved in the process and scrutinise everything that is put forward.
Our particular concerns will be to ensure that any solution that emerges from this process fully respects the town’s heritage, beauty and the integrity of the Central Conservation Area.
When such a solution does evolve, it is crucial that the Highway Authority fulfils its legal obligation to consult widely – not just with the parties involved today but with other stakeholders including the public and the shops, cafés and restaurants that trade in the Prom.
We would like to thank our members for their support and all who signed our petition – as we believed they were instrumental in helping to bring about this rethink. We would also like to thank The Georgian Group for throwing their weight behind us.
We will put a hold on our campaign for now and, hopefully, will be able to put it to bed for good when a satisfactory solution for the Prom is achieved.