Gateways into town, Impression on visitors. Options

[On the edge]

Recently, there has been talk in other threads of gateways into town and the need to create a good impression. The Market Street Development and the Limes Guest House issue have highlighted this.

I was taken up the A339 towards Tothill and came back the same way yesterday. I haven't needed to do that trip for a while, but was shocked at the disgusting state of the verges and hedges on both sides. Festooned with litter and plastic bags caught on thorns, blowing in the wind.

What a filthy vista we present on one of the main 'gateways' into town! If I was visiting, I don't think I'd want to stay amongst people who can't even be ****d to tidy up now and again, let alone trade with them!

[Simon Kirby]

Recently, there has been talk in other threads of gateways into town and the need to create a good impression. The Market Street Development and the Limes Guest House issue have highlighted this.

I was taken up the A339 towards Tothill and came back the same way yesterday. I haven't needed to do that trip for a while, but was shocked at the disgusting state of the verges and hedges on both sides. Festooned with litter and plastic bags caught on thorns, blowing in the wind.

What a filthy vista we present on one of the main 'gateways' into town! If I was visiting, I don't think I'd want to stay amongst people who can't even be ****d to tidy up now and again, let alone trade with them!

I drive up to Penwood on the Andover Road, and I often see a chap picking up litter on the verges. Not a council contractor, just a local who cares. On the flip-side, I used to clear the ditches on the allotment and was harangued by two town councillors and banned by the council from doing it again.

Littering is about ownership and disenfranchisement. If you feel it's your community you don't drop litter. Dave promised us a Big Society with everyone invested in their communities, but the Big Fat State makes a big fat living from doing everything for us, so Dave just dropped the idea.

[Squelchy]

I haven't needed to do that trip for a while, but was shocked at the disgusting state of the verges and hedges on both sides. Festooned with litter and plastic bags caught on thorns, blowing in the wind.

And did you stop and get out and tidy some of it up?

[On the edge]

And did you stop and get out and tidy some of it up?

No, BUT when I take my dog walking I pick litter. Indeed, the remains of a McDonalds dinner outside my house two weeks ago that I took back to them and left in the shop. I also sweep the cancer pellets that some idiot seems to think the green outside can use as well.

Does your comment mean that you are one of those who have such a low opinion of themselves that they can't see anything wrong with leaving litter?

[Simon Kirby]

OtE, which bit of road is it specifically? Are you talking about the dual carriage way from the Burger King to the Tesco roundabout, or Tesco to the Swan, or from the Swan roundabout towards Basingstoke past Greenham Common?

[Exhausted]

A bit of rubbish by the side of the road can be picked up and cleaned up overnight but have you entered Newbury by train and looked to your right as you go under the Boundary Rd bridge.

[Simon Kirby]

A bit of rubbish by the side of the road can be picked up and cleaned up overnight but have you entered Newbury by train and looked to your right as you go under the Boundary Rd bridge.

No. Can you explain.

[Simon Kirby]

As you come off the south-bound A34 at the Wash Common junction the large traffic island with all the piles of assorted cr@p is a right sh1t hole and not a very impressive gateway to the town.

[On the edge]

OtE, which bit of road is it specifically? Are you talking about the dual carriage way from the Burger King to the Tesco roundabout, or Tesco to the Swan, or from the Swan roundabout towards Basingstoke past Greenham Common?

The Burger King Roundabout to Tesco Roundabout bit, at the top (Tesco end) and the Swan Roundabout to the Tesco Roundabout; ironically not in front of the 'amenity site'.

[Exhausted]

No. Can you explain.

Well, if you don't see it then perhaps you find the sterling tower acceptable.

[Andy Capp]

'Sterling Tower is far from a pretty sight, but someone who specialises in taking pictures of derelict buildings managed to capture the tower in a way that seemed to give it romance. A historical document to a bygone era.

In my view, the sight of the Parkway development is every bit as ugly and imposing as Sterling Tower is, but for different reasons.

[Simon Kirby]

Well, if you don't see it then perhaps you find the sterling tower acceptable.

Oh, right. Yes, the Stirling Tower is an eyesore.

[NWNREADER]

As you come off the south-bound A34 at the Wash Common junction the large traffic island with all the piles of assorted cr@p is a right sh1t hole and not a very impressive gateway to the town.

I doubt Hants CC see it as their role to provide a 'gateway' to Newbury........ Next we will be wanting W Berks to provide the gateway to Highclere

[Simon Kirby]

I doubt Hants CC see it as their role to provide a 'gateway' to Newbury........ Next we will be wanting W Berks to provide the gateway to Highclere

And yet it is a gateway to Newbury, and a poor first impression it makes.

[NWNREADER]

And yet it is a gateway to Newbury, and a poor first impression it makes.

1. I don't agree a roundabout in Hampshire is the 'gateway to Newbury'. On that road I would say that is created by the bridge over the Enborne.
2. If the condition of the roundabout irks you, contact Hants CC

[Simon Kirby]

1. I don't agree a roundabout in Hampshire is the 'gateway to Newbury'. On that road I would say that is created by the bridge over the Enborne.
2. If the condition of the roundabout irks you, contact Hants CC

The county has nothing to do with it, and it's just that kind of parochial view that impedes development. You can't declare the "gateway" to be at the county boundary, it's a feature of the geography and topology, not a feature of local government administration. If you're coming into town from Andover then for sure, the start of habitation after the Washwater road marks the beginning of town for you, but if you're coming to Newbury on the A34 then the transition from the trunk road onto the local roads is also a significant gateway that sets the tone of the town.

[NWNREADER]

The county has nothing to do with it, and it's just that kind of parochial view that impedes development. You can't declare the "gateway" to be at the county boundary, it's a feature of the geography and topology, not a feature of local government administration. If you're coming into town from Andover then for sure, the start of habitation after the Washwater road marks the beginning of town for you, but if you're coming to Newbury on the A34 then the transition from the trunk road onto the local roads is also a significant gateway that sets the tone of the town.

Patronise? Vous?

I did not declare my vision of that gateway to be the County Boundary, but a physical feature. It would be very difficult to create a gateway feature in a locality you have no control over.

Where do people (if they do) think the various gateways should be (or maybe already are)?

[On the edge]

1. I don't agree a roundabout in Hampshire is the 'gateway to Newbury'. On that road I would say that is created by the bridge over the Enborne.
2. If the condition of the roundabout irks you, contact Hants CC

Not worried at all about the Hants infrastructure. It's more the verges of the main road into Newbury and inside West Berks boundary. Do you like living in a town that is filthy? That's the impression we give!

[user23]

Not worried at all about the Hants infrastructure. It's more the verges of the main road into Newbury and inside West Berks boundary. Do you like living in a town that is filthy? That's the impression we give!

Why not help organise a regular litter pick?

[motormad]

All this worry about the "gateway" to the town, when people actually get to Newbury they are hardly taken aback by it's retail, history, nightlife or even anything interesting at all.
The only reason I am here is because of work and friends.

I drove along the road that's under a lot of discussion on the A339 towards Tot Hill.. It's no worse than any other part of Newbbury/Thatcham and to be honest it's not really any worse than Basingstoke or Reading... not to say it's acceptable but hey, can't win every battle.