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Traffic to be banned from St John's Square
BUSES and taxis could be banned from Blackpool's new-look town centre by the start of the New Year.
Council leader Peter Callow has made no secret of his desire to end the controversial practice of Shared Space in the recently revamped St John's Square.
Road markings and traditional signage have been removed from the area to enable traffic and pedestrians to integrate.
Last week, Blackpool Council's head of transport, said Government evaluations had proved managing traffic with fewer rigid enforcements had led to fewer accidents.
But Coun Callow remains unmoved and a review is currently being carried out to look at whether to amend the scheme or ban traffic completely.
Coun Callow said: "I expect the results of this review within the next few weeks.
"If it is decided we ban traffic from St John's we could get a temporary traffic order very quickly."
St John's Square has been the centre of debate ever since buses and taxis were allowed back into the area following the impressive 4.7m revamp of the area.
Private hire taxi drivers fought to be allowed back on to St John's Square, but some now say they have changed their mind.
Coun Callow said the "openness" of the new St John's was what made it so special.
And he did not want that "diminished" by traffic using the area he dubbed the "People's Square".
He also warned there could be legal problems with continuing with the shared Space concept. Coun Callow explained: "A blind member of the public contacted me to inform me about how Kensington and Chelsea Council is facing a judicial review over its own Shared Space scheme.
"I got the point of this man's concerns completely.
"This is the People's Square and I want to see it used more for continental markets and ice skating, as we are getting this Christmas.
"It is the openness of the area that everybody likes and what visitors are commenting about.
"St John's has been finished to such a high standard we do not want to see it diminished by traffic using it.
"Tourists come to Blackpool to relax, they do not want their safety compromised by an unseen danger."
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Weather for Blackpool
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: 2 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South east
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Cloudy
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