Forum topic: Regenerating Palmers Green town centre

It's about time Palmers Green got a makeover, it's been neglected far too long, remove that tiny clock, it needs too be taller with a larger dial so the public can see it from afar, plenty of seats, plenty of trees to make the area look pretty and bring in nature, paving needs revamping, but most importantly the buildings do need a lick of paint, and then hopefully the shopkeepers will.follow suit to revamp their grim shop fronts, lm looking forward to my area Palmers Green coming back to live again!

The public realm improvements for Palmers Green town centre that will arise from the Cycle Enfield scheme are very welcome. However, the extent of the improvements are not fixed.

It was intended that the footpaths would be re-paved as part of the works. This particular type of public realm improvement has a huge and immediate impact. As well as resolving irregular surfaces, broken paving and updating disabled access provisions, a cohesive paving scheme immediately improves the visual appeal of the streetscape.

Through a very basic material, it is possible to set the tone and character of a street. the new area around Palmers Green Library is the best evidence of what good investment and development can do. It's an aspect we can all benefit from - retailers, shoppers and residents alike.

I've sent the below to the Cllrs for Palmers Green and neighbouring wards. It would be great if anyone else supporting the public realm works could do the same or lobby any other groups/parties so that this element doesn't get dropped and the end result looks nothing like the artists impressions. The decisions are being made over the coming few weeks.


Dear Councillors,

I request that you use your influence to prevent the renewal of the footways in the Palmers Green Town Centre area from being value engineered out of the Cycle Enfield development plans in a bid to reduce costs.

We are obviously all mindful of budget constraints, but this is the one element from the scheme that will have near universal support - irrespective of views on cycling. The associated public realm investment will have been at the heart of many Yes votes.

When this scheme is complete, whether or not more journeys are made by bicycle, whether or not there is an impact on congestion, whether pollution counts decrease or increase, or any of the arguments made for or against the scheme transpires as true, the incontrovertible benefit of public realm improvements are the one certainty of the scheme. Investment breeds investment, and investment in Palmers Green town centre is long overdue.

It will never be more economical to carry out these works than now.

That and stripping out all unnecessary street furniture clutter and consolidating the remainder so it gives a tidy, positive appearance. The mid-pavement located litter bin outside of the previous WH Smiths store is an example of bad. Good if the lamp posts could be sensibly and consistently replanted too, either against the wall or kerbside, rather than their current randomising.
Plus some roadside greening anyone?

I totally agree with your comments Karl. Simple things like correct positioning of street furniture makes all the difference.

I think regulation should be extended further to include shop frontages. The higgledy piggledy (technical term) positioning of the signs and choice materials is very unattractive. Someone suggested on another thread asking the Council to introduce and enforce stricter guidelines. I think that would be very worthwhile.

When Waltham Council wanted to improve the appeal of Leyton High Street, they had fantastic results working in co-operation with the retailers and freeholders. The result is really attractive. Link below

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiE2JyFxf7RAhXJ1hQKHTQlB_MQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticle-2160777%2FLondon-2012-Olympics-Leyton-High-Road-gets-new-look-thats-Notting-Hill-EastEnders.html&psig=AFQjCNEevf88NQ60u7PqBVDwNgQPJdhF3Q&ust=1486575932095729

Looks really nice. Just a pity Waitrose's exit indicates a decline in the town centre.

Are there any local groups with the focus of PG high street regeneration? One to lobby the Council for change? It logically doesn't make sense that there isn't a thriving centre here - dense population, good access, good parking and public transport (train station/bus), lack of immediate competition within walking distance etc.