Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
9 November 2008
11:258868"It's good to see that you are feeling positive about the cable car proposal"
Not quite what I said
- a funicular railway or similar from the town to the Castle would be my preference. A cablecar by-passing the whole town woudn't make sense. There are major logistic problems with the proposed cable car in that the top pilon would have to tear through a 200 year old building (a substantial one in that) and it would also pass over private properties....
I cannot see anywhere who the proposed owner would be and how much it would have to charge in order to break even on annual running costs.
Been nice knowing you :)
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,695
9 November 2008
11:288869I suspect Paul that it is the citizens of Dover who will end up subsidising this through their Council Tax and/or reduced services elsewhere.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
10 November 2008
10:018909The whole point of the cable-car was to help connect the Castle to the Town, so the Town benefits from the visitors to the Castle.
I understand that it will start from somewhere around De Bradelei's (if I'm wrong, don't shoot me), which will cut off the (current) Town Centre, which won't help the Town as much as if it were to be located say between the Discovery Centre and the Roman Painted House. Maybe that area is just not large enough for it, but it would certainly help the Town Centre businesses a lot more.
Roger
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
10 November 2008
10:168911Roger, is there not going to be a large scale re-development in the De Braderie area that will help better connect that part of town to the town centre?
If I am right then we should be thinking about how Dover's landscape will be at that time and not as it is now.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
10 November 2008
10:258912I know there's going to be a lot of development all around that area Barry and have attended all the presentation to date (those that are open to back-bench Councillors).
I know there's the land-bridge which will connect the seafront to the Town and that will be fantastic, but I am a bit concerned that all this development may not help the current Market Square and Town Centre.
Having said that, I know that all aspects are being taken into consideration and I have the utmost confidence in those involved at the top - the decision makers.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
10 November 2008
20:148933does anyone else feel disconcerted that not all our elected members are kept up to date on what is happening at our district council.?
fair enough there will be the top brass that make decisions, but surely after a decision is made this must be explained
to all councillors, regardless of their political colour.
on the face of it it would appear that councillors not in the cabinet or in the opposition have the same access to knowledge as anyone wandering out of the cold to attend a council meeting.
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,695
11 November 2008
00:048956Good to see someone has faith in "those involved at the top - the decsion makers" not sure I do given the evidence in and around Dover.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Unregistered User
11 November 2008
09:268969JHG & Roger have given information on current developments. My quote at last weeks Council meeting was that current work in progress & feasilbility studies will see the transformation of the area from Dover's Sport Centre [potential relocation] to the out skirts of Aycliffe. The proposals for new berths at the Western Dock area, added to the regeneration potential of the Wellington Docks area & new marina; joined by a landbridge & development of Bench Street to Market Sq. will connect with the St James development opening up the Town Centre thru to The Town Hall. New public transport connections joining up Dover Priory , Town Centre & a major bus terminus improvement are currently with the Dept. of Community & Local Government for £6-8 million decision funding under Dover's Growth area designation. Scotchie has already talked about the Western Heights & the Sea Change funding whether a Cable Car or not will bring significant opportunities. Friday sees the first stakeholder meeting by English Partnerships for the redevelopment of Connaught Barracks, Saturday 15th will be an Open Day for those who want to view the site-Fort Burgoyne is a must.
New schools , new health facilities [not hospital as we know it] & decisions on future of further education at South Kent site add to the picture.
Not happening tomorrow, but well down the road of planning.
This is multi -billion transformation of Dover.
Dover will be the building site of the South East as recession hits other areas.
This does not include major training initiatives that are currently being explored to train for the building & construction phases & maritime training offers which will be announced formally later in the month.
As matters progress public consultation will take place . This is multi party, multi agency co-operation & resourcing.
DDC don't have the funding but we delivered others around the table that do.
Watty
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
11 November 2008
10:068973Paul - I know just what a great job you and your team have been doing under very difficult circumstances. It is not easy to bring together so many groups each with their own agendas and funding streams.
Sady most people do not understand this and believe that a Council has more power and influence ovr events that it has in reality.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
11 November 2008
11:408975This is a first,i agree with Paul Watkins and Barry,we have been kept fully informed of all major works thru presentations and documents,newsletters and brochures,where my concerns are is that the work is done properly as I have experienced the first part of the regeneration and I wasn't impressed.The Labour group are fully behind what is happening,I believe it was even started by the Labour group when the were in power,yes it is frustrating about how long it is taking and regeneration will not give us what we all want and probably deserve,but out of little acorns....
We would all like Wilkinsons,Matalan,a fish shop etc etc,what we need now is any shop that would bring people into the Town,I am not convinced about ASDA,but as Paul said it was the only retailer that could bring people to the Town,I am worried that it will close shops that are here,I remember people saying when JJB came to Dover isn't it good we have 3 sports shops in the Town,2 closed because they cannot compete with the sell it cheap,loss leaders, but the most important thing until we get regenerated is that where possible we must support the shops we have in Dover.So when you go christmas shopping try Dover first,I know you can't get everything you want but you can get most things.Support Dover
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
11 November 2008
11:488976Thanks John - you sound like me promoting the Loyalty Scheme and the Town - well done.
But it is true - shop here - "use it or lose it"
Roger
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
11 November 2008
14:088980I agree with all of the support Dover's shops comments and stress that we should value what we have got left because, as John makes clear, it could soon be, support Asda because there aint nothing else.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
11 November 2008
21:479008i have always been behind the DTIZ development for one reason.
there was only one offer on the table.
i suppose that we could have taken the alternative and continued staring at bomb sites.
i will be a lot happier when more buildings in the zone are demolished, i prefer to look at flattened land rather than boarded up former businesses.
Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,695
11 November 2008
22:519012Paul, John & Roger - thanks for the update
I know how difficult it is getting these things organised etc. so appreciate the efforts that have gone in, I also appreciate that these things take time.
What I do struggle with however, is the lack of information and even worse the misinformation/broken promises, which ultimately leads to a situation where people do not believe what you say particularly around timescales. A good example being the demolition of Burlington House where I have personally been given 5 different dates for the commencement of this from various officers and councillors, sadly none of which turned out to be true.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
11 November 2008
23:029016Paul, one comment in your last posting here that concerns me, 'a major bus terminus improvement'. Having run down Buckland Hospital, landed us with a supermarket development and run after DHB for approval at every turn, are we now going to see development on Pencester Gardens or are they planning to rebuild the new bus depot already?
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Unregistered User
12 November 2008
08:349025I don't think I have run down Buckland Hospital , others did that over many years. I just gave an honest assessment of its age , condition, accessibility, investment levels , lack of decisionmaking. Let the scales fall from your eyes
As for the staff , great people, I trained as a nurse there ,as did my wife. My kids were born there etc.
I have great memories of the Buckland I knew.
Chris sometimes I think you are detached from reality.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
12 November 2008
20:149084paul
what about the question from chris?
what is planned with regard to a "major bus terminus improvement".
should it encroach upon pencester gardens, my concern is how it would affect our thirsty friends that socialise there.
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
12 November 2008
20:569092Reality is a state of mind. Did I touch a nerve or something Paul? I am quite certain that my question, although there for you to answer if you care to, was couched in general terms, refering to long term policies of DDC and on up the ladder.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Unregistered User
13 November 2008
09:299126Howard, Chris , a matter for Stagecoach who own land around the existing area. Pencester is not up for grabs. A valued green town centre site. To see Dover's transport bid approved by Regional Transport Board 23/10/2008 visit SEERA website , RTB agenda item 5 , appendices give details. If approved these willbe delivered by KCC.
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
13 November 2008
15:579138OK, I am having a problem here. I can find the agenda item (which explains why the report exists) but cannot find the appendices. Is there someone more technically minded that can post a link to them?
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour