Saturday 22 December 2007

Rock Walk. Part 1

This is what Rock Walk looks like at the moment. Unlike the plastic bag in the previous post it should look some what different this time next month. The second biggest crane in the country is going to be used to remove most of the trees and bushes which have become unstable on the cliff face and are in danger of falling down on to the main road. Should improve the view as well. Last time I walked along Rock Walk the saying, "Can't see the woods for the trees." sprang to mind.

The work will take 3 weeks, hopefully, but considering what happens to road work estimates locally (Long Road) it could take longer which will make a pig's ear of the current estimate of £0.6 million to the tune of £50 000 per day. Going to make a pig's ear of the 12 and 12A bus routes as well. I don't understand why they didn't just cut the trees down and let them fall into the road. Repairing any damage must cost less than the hire of the crane. Would have been quicker too.

I haven't heard what out diversion will be, something horrible no doubt, involving coming down Fleet Street to the Harbour as usual and then going back up Fleet Street, up Abbey Rd, Lucius Street and Belgrave Road. Usually at this point I say something like, "Should be fun." But it wont. Actually what it will be, if the above is correct, is a useful exercise. There are some people out there who want the buses banned from Fleet Street. The only other way round is via Belgrave Road. Well for three weeks they, and everyone else will get the chance to see if Belgrave Road is a viable alternative to Fleet Street. I do hope the council manage to get parking banned in Belgrave Road for these 3 weeks.

An other idea I have heard mentioned is shuttle buses running between Castle Circus and the Harbour. Please, NO!

More when I heard more.

Click here to read the story as it appeared in the local paper

1 comment:

Dave Hill said...

I have spent a long time on the rock walk with the tree company and the council.
at one point the council were going to hire out a army helicopter to tie a chain around while it gets chopped down but it still involed closing the road .
They where going to have a massive scaffold (in the road ) and up the cliff but it closed the road for three months.
the crane they are useing weights 170 tons and come with a police escort and would park right outside the theatre.
Should be fun.
Dont mention cost the council dont like it ..