Whether we like it or not, Rye is a major tourist attraction. Indeed it is probably to these tourists that Rye owes its prosperity. This was illustrated very clearly last summer when the number of tourists from the continent was sharply reduced due to the blockage of the French ports. Some of Rye’s shops reported drops in sales of up to 50%.
So why is it that the Chamber of Commerce and the Town Council are not fighting to pedestrianise the High Street? It has been clearly demonstrated time after time that pedestrianisation can increase local turnover by between 30 and 300%. Surely this is something worth fighting for.
From a practical point of view taxis, emergency vehicles and residents would have access at all times. Deliveries should be completed by 10am.
Tourists and locals would have an easier, more pleasant and safer environment in which to browse and shop.
Finally  it is worth remembering that in the Town Plan around 20 years ago (!) Rother agreed to pedestrianise the Strand Quay area but later reneged on the idea as they were not prepared to lose the parking revenue.
Closing the High Street would in fact increase the parking revenue  by using Gibbetts Marsh for a Park and Ride Scheme as well as normal parking.
So come on the Chamber of Commerce, Â the Town Council and those of us who love Rye. Let us do something about it!
Image Credits: Tony Nunn .
This sounds a great idea, not just the high street, but the whole Citadel, just look at Watchbell sreet, for an example, clogged up with cars, parked both sides, and also breaking the law, by parking on the pavements,making it difficult for tourists, and disabled,to go about their way.
Traffic issues have been the most contentious during work on the Neighbourhood Plan. Unlike many other plans, it should be noted that there is no clear consensus in Rye about partial “pedestrianisation” or any other imaginative measures to address the increasing congestion in the Town. However the Plan on our website points to a series of aspirations – many have been considered before – which, if selected and of course funded could greatly improve matters.
Ryeneighbourhoodplan.org.uk
When I was Chairman of the Highways Forum being a Council representative, pedestrianisation of the High Street was discussed. It was hotly contested by the Chamber of Commerce which considered business would be lost. Brian Banks from East Sussex County Council, whose responsbility was highway matters, attended our meetings and always was very helpful in assisting with Rye’s problems and in more recent years with the loading bay in the High Street. With regard pedestrianisation he set out a whole list of problems that could arise to the project and the very high cost. He mentioned the need for fresh signage ( this might not be felt appropriate in a historic town) to take account of changes to traffic flows in the town, and the need to have the High street open at times to facilitate the delivery of goods to retailers and other white van deliveries. There would have to be someone in authority to open and close the High Street during certain hours to facilitate the movement of delivery vehicles. Safety of pedestrians could be another problem in a narrow street with delivery vehicle movements. Brian also drew attention for the need for residents of the Citadel to have vehicle access from the High Street. This might only be possible by partial pedestrianisation, but traffic would have to be two way in the remaining access roads to the Citadel closing off perhaps East Street. It was thought to be too impracticable.
The only way to improve traffic management is to either have a traffic warden or a community warden, the latter being something I had recommended to the Town Council when I was a councillor but got rejected in favour of a Town Steward. Again it was always down to cost. What will probably be the final answer to the traffic problem in Rye will be the introduction of the “Civil Parking Enforcement” scheme, but this would require the display of time clocks etc which would also be considered
inappropriate for Rye. Obviously there are no easy solutions whilst we have no illegal parking enforcement by the police.
I am certainly in favour of some form of pedestrianisation in Rye. Having returned I have noticed the increase in vehicles carelessly ploughing through the town. It is not fun with a buggy. I just had a vile woman honking her horn and terrifying my toddler in the Strand because she couldn’t politely wait for me to move the buggy out of her way. I even remember working here and seeing a buggy hit with a car due to not being able to turn properly down Market Road in Rye due to illegal parking. I don’t blame the police for this either as I see it as an issue that needs to be dealt with by the local council. The town is not designed for a heavy flow of traffic, that’s the beauty of the place. Places like Lewes have adapted. It appears Rye is always behind in progression like the poor relative of Rother.
Rye must be the most uncared-for town I have ever known. (I have been in the area 26 yrs). From the derelict land behind the Adelaide Pub to the derelict land beside the river where the petrol pumps and the Pine shop used to be; not to mention the dodgy toilets opp the station. The absence of a traffic warden ( I, like everyone else now park on the double yellows…..since Jempsons ultimatum)
Tell me where the visitors are going to park this summer? I am dreading it.
Why cannot someone on the town council get some of this unused land opened up for parking. Its not Rocket Science (as the saying goes). JUST DO IT. What is the point of a Council who are afraid of upsetting people (shopkeepers) . Spineless.