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Redhill: Have your say on its future
REDHILL Reigate Horley Life has teamed up with Tribal Urban Studio, the master-planners appointed to oversee the regeneration of Redhill, to ask residents what they like and don't like about their town.
Tribal Urban Studio has started work on identifying the issues that need addressing to make Redhill a better town to live, shop and work in and they need your help.
Ben Castell, from Tribal Urban Studio, said: "People know that a lot of work has been done recently on the issues facing Redhill, and we need to know if these are still the main issues that bother people, or if anything else needs addressing."
Issues already identified include:
Transport
Many walking and cycling routes in the town centre are unpleasant, unsafe, inconvenient and indirect.
Bus services and facilities are not meeting the existing or future needs of passengers.
Main roads around the town centre are congested, particularly during peak hours.
Convenient car parking is not always available and can be difficult to access.
Public space
The town centre has few public spaces, they are poorly connected and sometimes poorly maintained and uninviting and do not meet the needs of the public.
Links between the railway station, bus station and town centre are poor.
Buildings
There is no consistency in building design and this contributes to the town's poor image.
There are no landmark buildings.
Shopping
The town's shopping offer is limited and existing units provide little scope for expansion.
Leisure and culture
The town's leisure and culture offer is limited and existing facilities need improvement.
Community services
The town is home to a range of community services but buildings are not all fit for purpose.
Jobs and business
The town has a strong office base providing significant local employment but there is a lack of diversity in office sizes and types.
Housing
Few people live in the town centre, increasing distances people travel to work and reinforcing the perception that the town centre is isolated and unsafe, particularly at night.
Environmental sustainability
There is a need to improve the environmental sustainability - e.g. renewable energy generation - in the town centre.
Are these things you feel need addressing or is there something missing? Let us know by joining the debate. Add your comment below.
The Redhill master plan will provide a clear direction on how best to plan for new homes and shops over the next 15 years and identify improvements needed to make the works possible. At the end of May a public consultation on the issues and options facing Redhill will be held with manned exhibitions being held at the Belfry Shopping Centre and The Harlequin.
1:56pm Friday 2nd May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Suze, Redhill on 4:24pm Fri 2 May 08
I think Redhill needs a ten-pin bowling alley and a big multiplex cinema. I'm fed up of having to go to Crawley all the time.
I think Redhill needs a ten-pin bowling alley and a big multiplex cinema. I'm fed up of having to go to Crawley all the time.
Posted by: Jedi, Redhill on 6:42pm Mon 5 May 08
No consistency in building design? You can't just create an image for a town it is something which is built up through history. I think the lesson is stop knocking everything down then the town might develop some character.
No consistency in building design? You can't just create an image for a town it is something which is built up through history. I think the lesson is stop knocking everything down then the town might develop some character.
Posted by: Nick, Redhill on 1:21pm Tue 6 May 08
I live in the town centre and can really relate to the already identified issue that Redhill is "unsafe, particularly at night".
If one of the objectives is to attract people to live in the town centre then Tribal Urban Studio and Reigate and Banstead council have a huge challenge on their hands.
It is sad to say that I can not wait to be able to afford to move out of the town centre.
I have noticed that the antisocial evening antics of what used to be the minority are getting worse, especially at weekends. At times I feel scared to leave my flat, and I am only in my late 20s. Who knows what families and the older generation must feel!
It is a real shame because Redhill has massive potential for being an attractive town for living, shopping, dining and enjoying evening entertainment.
I live in the town centre and can really relate to the already identified issue that Redhill is "unsafe, particularly at night".
If one of the objectives is to attract people to live in the town centre then Tribal Urban Studio and Reigate and Banstead council have a huge challenge on their hands.
It is sad to say that I can not wait to be able to afford to move out of the town centre.
I have noticed that the antisocial evening antics of what used to be the minority are getting worse, especially at weekends. At times I feel scared to leave my flat, and I am only in my late 20s. Who knows what families and the older generation must feel!
It is a real shame because Redhill has massive potential for being an attractive town for living, shopping, dining and enjoying evening entertainment.
Posted by: Sara, Redhill on 9:17am Sat 10 May 08
I shop in Reigate, Guildford and Bluewater despite living in Redhill! The shops, buildings, ambience and yobs at Redhill town centre are depressing. We need some quality shops and some kind of identity be it very modern or oldy worldy to attract the right kind of customers and traders. There should also be a tougher line taken by the police to move the anti-social people out of the town centre. Most of the shops contain cheap and tacky goods and there is no balance between that and more luxurious and modern shops. Why not knock most of it down as it is so unsightly and a mish mash of buildings anyway, and build a really large indoor shopping centre along the lines of Bluewater (but obviously not as large) it seems to be the way people prefer to shop nowadays and that type of shopping centre never seem to have a problem in enticing in the quality shops.
I shop in Reigate, Guildford and Bluewater despite living in Redhill! The shops, buildings, ambience and yobs at Redhill town centre are depressing. We need some quality shops and some kind of identity be it very modern or oldy worldy to attract the right kind of customers and traders. There should also be a tougher line taken by the police to move the anti-social people out of the town centre. Most of the shops contain cheap and tacky goods and there is no balance between that and more luxurious and modern shops. Why not knock most of it down as it is so unsightly and a mish mash of buildings anyway, and build a really large indoor shopping centre along the lines of Bluewater (but obviously not as large) it seems to be the way people prefer to shop nowadays and that type of shopping centre never seem to have a problem in enticing in the quality shops.
Posted by: Rod, Redhill on 5:18pm Wed 14 May 08
I've lived in Redhill for the last 25 years and I think it's got a lot going for it. Main line railway station, indoor shopping centre, large supermarket, plenty of office space, night club near the station and theatre and cinema for entertainment. On the minus side - the Memorial Park isn't easily accessible, there are no decent restaurants, the cinema has only one screen and the theatre is too small to attract big name acts. Put these things right and Redhill will become a better place to attract the next generation of home buyers and businesses.
I've lived in Redhill for the last 25 years and I think it's got a lot going for it. Main line railway station, indoor shopping centre, large supermarket, plenty of office space, night club near the station and theatre and cinema for entertainment. On the minus side - the Memorial Park isn't easily accessible, there are no decent restaurants, the cinema has only one screen and the theatre is too small to attract big name acts. Put these things right and Redhill will become a better place to attract the next generation of home buyers and businesses.
Posted by: Ben Hilder, Reigate on 9:19am Sun 18 May 08
Please do not let the proposals for Redhill be a series of amorphous urban design drawings and text – that could apply to any town.
It will be all to easy for those planning the future of Redhill to propose new retail space, commercial office buildings, new entertainment venues, and open spaces - and claim that will be the catalyst for change. Whilst having a wow factor and looking impressive their contribution will be only surface deep. What is of a greater importance is plans that reinforce and enhance the existing communities that already exist in Redhill by providing them with the facilities to thrive. This would therefore allow any new influx of people, whether they are new residents or new workers, to be attracted by and slot into an already flourishing population.
These communities, whether they be the local rail users association, theatre groups that use the Harlequin, or parent and toddler clubs, are those that really need to be listened to – not just overly concerned individuals like me!
Please do not let the proposals for Redhill be a series of amorphous urban design drawings and text – that could apply to any town.
It will be all to easy for those planning the future of Redhill to propose new retail space, commercial office buildings, new entertainment venues, and open spaces - and claim that will be the catalyst for change. Whilst having a wow factor and looking impressive their contribution will be only surface deep. What is of a greater importance is plans that reinforce and enhance the existing communities that already exist in Redhill by providing them with the facilities to thrive. This would therefore allow any new influx of people, whether they are new residents or new workers, to be attracted by and slot into an already flourishing population.
These communities, whether they be the local rail users association, theatre groups that use the Harlequin, or parent and toddler clubs, are those that really need to be listened to – not just overly concerned individuals like me!
Posted by: Stuart, Redhill on 9:54pm Sun 18 May 08
There is too little for teenagers and young people in Redhill.
Youth provision is far too often half term activities for the under 12s. No wonder that there is the perception voiced by other contributors that the town centre is full of yobs and you have to go to Crawley for any action.
The various halls need to be opened up, there needs to be more imaginative fare at the Harlequin. The Councils need show the will to accomodate the over 12s in their plans.
Private enterprises who could provide activities for teenagers and upwards need to be encouraged. The planners need to realise that there is more to life than shopping.
There is too little for teenagers and young people in Redhill.
Youth provision is far too often half term activities for the under 12s. No wonder that there is the perception voiced by other contributors that the town centre is full of yobs and you have to go to Crawley for any action.
The various halls need to be opened up, there needs to be more imaginative fare at the Harlequin. The Councils need show the will to accomodate the over 12s in their plans.
Private enterprises who could provide activities for teenagers and upwards need to be encouraged. The planners need to realise that there is more to life than shopping.
Posted by: Charles Thompson, Nutfield on 9:08am Mon 26 May 08
I was born in Redhill and lived there for 35 years. I still travel through the town every day and shop there.
A big bold scheme is needed to bring together the eastern side of the town. The station car park and Marketfield car park should be developed, with parking provided on one or more stories, and walkways provided from these car parks into the Harlequin, so that it can be used, and generate income, during the day. Cinema and Bowling could easily be incoporated into these developments, as well as more shopping units. This would also improve the visual aspects of this side of the town.
I was born in Redhill and lived there for 35 years. I still travel through the town every day and shop there.
A big bold scheme is needed to bring together the eastern side of the town. The station car park and Marketfield car park should be developed, with parking provided on one or more stories, and walkways provided from these car parks into the Harlequin, so that it can be used, and generate income, during the day. Cinema and Bowling could easily be incoporated into these developments, as well as more shopping units. This would also improve the visual aspects of this side of the town.
Posted by: Lynn Blackmore, Redhill on 1:09pm Mon 26 May 08
I lived here as a teenager and Redhill has certainly improved since then.I like the fact that the town is not self-consciously middle-class, I love the avanue of trees in the centre with their imaginative seating areas and I enjoy the fact that the Belfry is just a small indoor shopping mall - leaving the majority of the town open to sun, air and(hopefully) character. I agree with Jedi, we need to allow the town to develop, rather than stamp a modern character on it that is indistinguishable from many other places. But I admit to having a problem with all those squares, semi-circles and triangles which were the basis of fairly recent town design. And I am not overfond of all the red paint either!
I lived here as a teenager and Redhill has certainly improved since then.I like the fact that the town is not self-consciously middle-class, I love the avanue of trees in the centre with their imaginative seating areas and I enjoy the fact that the Belfry is just a small indoor shopping mall - leaving the majority of the town open to sun, air and(hopefully) character. I agree with Jedi, we need to allow the town to develop, rather than stamp a modern character on it that is indistinguishable from many other places. But I admit to having a problem with all those squares, semi-circles and triangles which were the basis of fairly recent town design. And I am not overfond of all the red paint either!
Posted by: C.D on 12:18pm Sat 28 Jun 08
Groups of young people tend to be loud and intimidatory. Therefore the last thing that Redhill needs is anything (e.g. bowling alley) that will attract more youths into it in the evening. Such facilities should be built out of town.
Groups of young people tend to be loud and intimidatory. Therefore the last thing that Redhill needs is anything (e.g. bowling alley) that will attract more youths into it in the evening. Such facilities should be built out of town.
Posted by: Janet, Redhill on 12:32pm Wed 2 Jul 08
If you want kids off the street then you have to provide enough facilities for local clubs to hire. Only one flood lit astro [bold]FULLY BOOKED!![/bold]I am asking the council to PLEASE make this a priority or we will have to start turning Boys/girls away next season!!
If you want kids off the street then you have to provide enough facilities for local clubs to hire. Only one flood lit astro
FULLY BOOKED!!I am asking the council to PLEASE make this a priority or we will have to start turning Boys/girls away next season!!
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