Seen this on Kent Online from the Mercury - looks interesting
Cable car plan
A MAJOR announcement is expected tomorrow (Friday) awarding Dover millions of pounds which could see a cable car system linking Dover Castle, the town centre and the Western Heights.
It's the result of a bid by various partners and will enable a feasibility study to be carried out for the "aerial transit system"
Dover Mercury, 03 April 2008
Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,305
What a crackpot idea! The Dover Express today on pages one and three also gives details.
This surely was one of the schemes presented a couple of years ago at a presentation at the Ark. It was daft then and it's daft now. One of the other finalists I seem to remember was for a windfarm just outside the harbour's eastern entrance. I thought it was a joke but they were serious. I don't think that they even realised that Dover was a busy ferry port and that it would be extremely hazardous.
As to the cable car, well the presenters kept referring to the "City of Dover"! and if you care to look at page three, although it's difficult to see, Jubilee Way is labelled "M2"!
Do they know something we don't? Is the road at last to be up-graded? Of course not.
It's just another ill-conceived and worse, an ill-researched project.
The question is, how much did the consultants get paid for this lunacy?
I think we should be told, but I doubt it.
Really getting into 4291 mode now!!
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
I had heard about this plan a while ago and never thought it would get this far.
I don't really understand who it is aimed at. A cable car linking the town to the castle will hardly be used by local residents; given that the Castle is already over £10 per person I can't see many local residents wanting to use it more than once a year at most. Doubtless the cable car will be an extra fiver on top of that price.
Tourists from the Cruise Terminal will continue to use coaches laid on by the cruise companies. Shoppers parking at Whitfield attending the new Whitfield B&Q or TESCOs are hardly likely to have a quick day trip to Castle or Western Heights.
Is this aimed at the Olympic tourists? If so, isn't there a risk it will die off following the event?
I suspect the cable car is being built with regard to projected increased housing given Dover's alleged future regeneration in order to take pressure off the already overcrowded roads. Nonetheless, the words 'White Elephant' are worryingly ringing in my ears.
Most importantly of all, who is going to pay for this?
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
As people say, this had been around a very long time and is the result of various brainstorms over the years !!
If you consider the winds that rip through the valley between the Castle and Heights, and the salt air corrosion, it would hardly be in operation !!!!
Give me the money for the Redoubt and I will put it to good use
Been nice knowing you :)
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Dont hold your breath on this one....
Ah yes they drag this oul chestnut out of the attic every so often. Ever since i came to Dover Ive been seeing this one pop its head over the pylon. Could be one of those april fool stories and if it isnt it should be, with more cobblers attached to it than real life. Yes Scotchie it could be an interesting ride on a windy day with more excitement than yer oul granny could take!
Interesting re Olympic tourists as Phil mentions. A report earlier today said that the rest of the country cannot see themselves making any money at all out of the Olympic Games...Lets face it, they sell us this baloney about 'financial gain for all' to justify the massive cost to the taxpayer, but all the money will go to London and that East London corridor.Quite clearly. Although if anyone can see Dover making a few bob out of it please feel free to explain how.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i briefly looked at the story in the express, my memory says that no actual names were mentioned other
than a company called "booz something or other."
looks suspiciously like a prank.
a good one though.
Unregistered User
A range of transport connection solutions are being studied by KCC & their consultants. Ideally the Castle /town/port/station link ups are essential to take advantage of the local & tourism opportunities. An announcement on the opportunities & designation via Margaret Hodge will be made on Radio Kent around 0800 tomorrow. Exciting times. Nobody will say anything official until after midnight when the embargo comes off. Dover Express put together a good story.
Watty
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
you surprise me mein herr, if it is an goer, then we really are on the map.
unless of course, you are a part of the wind up team.
We should take a similar brave approach to the likes of Brighton when it comes to municipal redevelopment, and go for 'grands projets' (as our Gallic chums put it) such as this, which would surely help catalyse some much-needed civic pride and further investment in the town.
On another note, I trust you'll all be at Crabble tomorrow for what could potentially be a very big day for the Mighty Whites!
All the best,
Andy
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
could get promotion tomorrow, i understand andrew.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
This is a very recent DDC news release:
MOVING FORWARD FOR THE FUTURE - MULTI MILLION POUND REGENERATION PROPOSALS FOR DOVER
Transformational multi million pound proposals for heritage-related regeneration in Dover, focusing on linking the world class heritage and cultural assets with the port and town, are being developed following major funding news from the Government today.
This follows the major announcement from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport today that Dover is one of three towns to benefit from up to £4 million each for cultural and heritage projects. The grants are to be made as part of Sea Change, a new funding programme, which aims to support economic regeneration in coastal areas through investment in culture and heritage. Funding is subject to formal application and proposals are currently being developed.
Dover District Council, Kent County Council, the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and English Heritage, with the Dover Pride Partnership, are developing major proposals. The proposals would ensure Dover's cultural assets play a central part in the regeneration of the town, and provide better access and connectivity for visitors and residents.
Proposals include looking at transport-related schemes, including cable cars to link the Western Heights to the Western Docks and the Eastern Docks to Dover Castle, and a rapid bus system providing further linkage to Dover Priory.
This news follows the important announcement of major plans by the Port of Dover to build on its world leading position with an additional terminal, and exciting partnership proposals for a stunning new waterfront for Dover, including linkage to the town centre via a state-of-the-art landbridge, which continue to be developed. Work has also begun on site for the multi million pound redevelopment of Dover Town Centre.
Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of DDC said: "These are formative, progressive times for Dover. A wealth of major development proposals coming together can deliver a world class future. These state of the art proposals will provide vital linkage between the town, port and heritage, adding further significance to the arrival of the high speed rail link in 2009. The direction of travel is forward to very exciting times. Bold initiatives and a sense of place will deliver change and prosperity if the players stay at the table and hold their nerve. Dover is a District on the move."
Oona Muirhead, SEEDA Executive Director for Sustainable Prosperity, said: "We welcome the Sea Change funding for cultural regeneration of seaside resorts and will work with Dover District Council and partners on a bid to deliver some fantastic projects for Dover. The Sea Change Programme and funds are important to achieve the town's potential as an attractive tourist and leisure destination, and increase the quality of life for residents. "
I know you can't please all of the people all of the time, but I believe this will be great for Dover and tourism here - I know we have the Castle and the iconic White Cliffs, but we need something "BIG" and something new, something that will catch the imagination of the travelling public.
A couple of years ago, I contacted one of the companies that build and manage Sea-World type Centres, asking if they would come to Dover and build one here; their response was that they have built enough of them in the U.K. for now and are concentrating on Europe, mainly I seem to remember, Germany.
With a new Town Centre (DTIZ), the current one being linked to it and improved, buildings being looked after and refurbished, Group Travel and ordinary (FIT) tourism built up, new businesses (including new retail businesses) coming here, it is all putting Dover on the map.
But and it is a big but, we mustn't take our eye off of the ground-floor - the local businesses that are struggling so hard now.
So many obstacles are placed in their way that it is surprising that we don't have more closed shops here.
It's great to know where we're going, but we need to keep our eye on the ball, our ear to the ground and our mind on the job - of looking after the businesses and the Town Centre.
Roger
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,024
Yes it is good news for Dover people investing in our town but like Roger says let us keep our feet on the ground ,We need to attract someone who will provide leisure facilities.Everyone at the top and that includes me must not have rose tinted specs.On Friday we had gangs of youths in River not the first time aprox sixty in number fighting .When residents went out to intervene ,one was head butted to the ground another had his arm slashed and I understand more residents were injured.This also happened at Easter when a resident was seriously assaulted.
There is nothing for the young people to do.Youth clubs only appeal to a certain type of yougester.We have a leisure centre but probably they cannot afford to go there all the time .Football,Rugby sailing if you are interested.Why hasnt someone provided an internet cafe?Where my daughter lives in the Midlands they have cafes which are open at night and the young people gather.We have enough empty shops surely we can turn one of those into this sort of venue.The night clubs have closed one small cinema .There is something seriously wrong when young people roam around like ferral animals.We have failed and that includes me.I did my best with my children and it is sad that someone elses child is destroying the peace of mind in the community .which I repesent.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Good posting Sue, but sorry to hear about those problems in River; presumably the Police weren't in attendance ?
It may be too much of a presumption, but do you know if they were drunk/had been drinking ? If so, someone must be buying it for them, or some off-licence selling to them.
A bold person it would be, to buy the lease on a property in Dover and run it as an internet cafe, but it might just work.
We need to know what they want, not just supply them with what we think they want; if we don't, they'll just destroy whatever they are given.
To my mind, most of our problems emanate from those parents who don't say NO to their children when they are very young - they then grow up with no one saying no to them and so demand and get, whatever they want so when they are adolescents and older, they are running wild, doing exactly what they want and woe betide anyone who (tries to) stands up to them.
Has anyone seen the black and white film "Lord of the Flies" - about children who are on a desert island without any adults ? very soon they become ferral - just like many kids of today - simply because we have abdicated our responsibility and because parents have been told not to say no, nor smack them (and I'm not talking about beatings, just in case someone was going to go down that road).
An old saying springs to mind "you have to be cruel to be kind" - and that's what we are not doing or being.
Roger
Guest 648- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 258
Roger,
I have just spoken to my daughter ,they have an internet cafe,also at another location a cafe called the Hub.Older people like me and Nigel sit and have a coffee and the younger people meet upstairs and play snooker or tell silly jokes,sorry thats me and Nigel.
No i dont know whether these young people who ran amock had been drinking ,no doubt i shall gather more information shortly.
Yesterday as i was about to alite from the bus a couple of young girls tried to board the bus before the driver had stopped.When we did stop they jumped on the bus before a couple of us had got off.In my wonderful style I commented " Young Ladies there are people trying to get off the bus show respect"They loooked taken back and said "Sorry".
See you have to give then clear direction.
Guest 648- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 258
I used to be a dinner lady,no nonsense with me.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
some ruffians up in river.
all quiet here in priory. must be due to the up bringing.
i have been informed by friends that reside in river that a lot of the youngsters come from as
far afield as broadstairs and margate.
Guest 641- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 2,335
If you remember in the not to distant past there have been two internet cafe's in Dover, one in Bench Street (now occupied by Polka - the Polish Cafe) they were there for a least year to my knowledge, the majority of their business came from passing tourists and cabin crew but not enough to make it profitable. The other was in the High Street for a short period of time, the premises are now occupied by Machood Computers I believe.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Just to say thank you I am now back in
Vic Matcham
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
Please take the time to read this.
Sale prompts bid to protect historic sites.
The former Army careers development information office, next to Dover Castle and the historic Mote,s Bulwark gun battery has been sold.
Maltby,s chartered surveyors of Gravesend,has sold a 120-year lease on the site.A company spokesman said they could not disclose the buyer.
The land is s close to the historical sites of Dover Castl Conservation Area and the Mote,s Bulwark,a 16th to 18th-century gun battery, that there are strict regulations to ensure any development does not have an adverse effect on them.
But before any development can take place, provision must be made for an archaelogical evaluation.
Possible uses outlined in the district council,slocal plan, include office development,residential,or tourist accommodation.
Redevelopment of the site will only be permitted if it preserves or enhances the character or appearance of the castle conservation area.
It must also be acceptable in terms of traffic generation and access and the design must reflect the importance of the site as the entrance to the town.
Mote,s Bulwark was one of the three gun batteries built as part of the harbour defences.It is now owned by English Heritage.
Last May, town councillor Vic Matcham suggested it could unlock tourist potenial if a chair-lift could be installed and tea rooms were built on the site.
The date this was in the Dover Mercurywas the 17th of February 2005, at that time I had send letters out to the D.H.B. who wrote back to me with their support and also I wrote and had a meeting with English Heritage they did say at that time it could happen alsoI send out letters to the D.D.C. and I had my own meeting about it at the D.T.C. I send out plans of the site and what it could look like.Also at that time the Dover Mercury wrote about the Gun batteries the reporter then was Mr Jeff Howe, I must say I did think I was on to a winner then. I had about four trys over 10years to try and get the lift put in.
I know some of you think all I do is talk but that is not true.
I remain yours faithfully Vic Matcham
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
that is good news victor, yet more dereliction being brought back into use.
these are good times for our town.