Tradesmen Prefer 2-Way Street
Demand for Car Park Notices

Rushden’s newly-formed Chamber of Trade have offered their advice to the Urban Council regarding the proposed plan for a one-way High Street.

It was suggested at their meeting that additional sign-boarding would be a better solution to the traffic problem.

Here are the comments of a selection of High Street traders – members and non-members of the Chamber of Trade – made to an “Echo and Argus” representative.

Hotel Manager (Mr. H. G. Wiggins): “We certainly get here quite a number of people who are passing through the town and stop for meals particularly commercial travellers. If the vehicles are going around Wellingborough Road, it absolutely cuts the cafes out. If the parking system was better, and people knew where to park their cars, there would probably be no traffic problem. Parking signs should be in the High Street. There are car parks to a certain extent, but signs necessary.”

Draper (Mr. J. Blunt): “The one-way street cannot be a good thing from the shop-keepers’ point of view, but if you want my view, it will be a good idea for the town. The signs will be a very good thing. I know there are a good many people who do not know there is a car park at the back here. Of course we are in the worst part of the street.”

Tobacconist (Mr. L. R. Neville): “There is only one solution, and that is to stop cars parking in the High Street. There are parking places and we should make people use them. It would stop people shopping in cars; if they only stop for ten minutes it makes a block. The placing of notices as in Northampton and other towns, would help this problem.”

Wireless Dealer (Mr. H. Wills): “I believe I am the only one in favour of a one-way street, and I am in favour on the grounds of the safety of the public for a start. In my opinion it will be definitely beneficial to the traders and not the reverse, as they say. If there is a definite one-way, it will allow anyone who wishes to go shopping and park their cars without interference from a steady stream of traffic going through.”

Outfitter’s Manager (Mr. S. P. Downing): “All I can say is that I agree with the Chamber of Trade. It is pretty obvious that there ought to be more parking places in these narrow streets. I have seen this sort of thing happen before with a loss of trade.”

Newsagent (Mr. C. Robinson junr.): “There are arguments for and against. Definitely it will make a difference to the trade. It will make a great difference to our deliveries, particularly with the petrol shortage. There are a lot of traffic jams and the one-way street will cure those. We know where the parking places are, but other people who come to the town do not.”

New Hope for Hall Avenue

Prospects of an improvement in Hall Avenue were mentioned at Rushden Urban Council’s meeting on Wednesday.

The Surveyor (Mr. A. Miller) reported that he had met agents acting on behalf of the Hall Avenue Estate developer. He understood that proposals might be submitted for repairs and reinstatement works with a view to the adoption of the road as a highway repairable by the inhabitants at large.

“It looks as if we should get something moving before very long,” said Councillor E. A. Sugars.

When the Council agreed to the appointment of an additional street mason to undertake flagging and kerb laying, Councillor H. Waring said it was High Street – a trunk road – that needed a mason “day after day.”

Councillor W. E. Capon (in the chair): That is outside the scope of this Council.

Councillor F. E. Brown: It is not outside the scope of this Council to draw the County Council’s attention to it.

Mrs. Muxlow: I can assure you that has been done.

In reply to Councillor W. J. Sawford the Clerk (Mr. A. G. Crowdy) said he had not yet heard anything in reply to the Council’s application – made several months ago – for High Street to be made a one-way traffic route.

“Let sleeping dogs lie,” advised Councillor Waring.

The Library Committee recommended giving “The Daily Worker” a trial run for three months in the Public Library reading room, after receiving a letter from Mrs. A. Clayton, of 54, Crabb Street.

Councillor A. F. Weale, moving that the matter should be referred back said that the “underground” movement represented by the “Dailey Worker” was not a democratic one.

When Councillor A. H. Bailey seconded, he said that he had already made objections at the Library Committee meeting.

After Councillor J. T. Richardson, Mrs. A Rowthorn and Mrs. Muxlow had spoken for the recommendation the amendment was defeated by eight votes to seven.