Rotary is be a catalyst for consultation on potential future development in the town. Shrewsbury BID executive director Seb Slater has invited Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club to become a ‘focus group’ for various plans the not-for-profit organisation is considering. He outlined some of those plans in a talk to members whose response, he said, would provide important feedback on proposed initiatives and ideas.
New initiatives highlighted in his talk to Rotary include a cycle hire scheme, involving a proper cycle route from the railway station to the hospital. The need for more cycle parking in the town centre; the trialling of an electric bus service; a river taxi infrastructure; delivery of goods to a hub from which they would be cycled into the town; new developments for people to live in the town centre.
In answer to a question, he promised members that BID was actively pursuing retention of the Quarry swimming baths. “We will fight to keep the baths in the Quarry and we are also looking into the distinct lack of hotel space in the town. It would be great if we could have a four or five star hotel in the town centre. It is a shame that we are losing the town’s university presence and we are having talks with West Midlands Universities.
We are also working with local artists which is important to lift the town’s image and artists as a community have felt very welcome and we support the cultural life of the town. At the same time we are also supporting a café culture which Shrewsbury is ideally suited for.”
In answer to another member’s question about the decline in the cleanliness of the town, Seb added: “This is a live discussion – we would like to see the town more cared for. We recognise this is an issue and this is part of our on-going discussions with the local authority.”
He added: “The town centre is more accessible without traffic and this leaves visitors with more time and money to spend so better bus networks, which are incredibly poor at the moment, need a complete overhaul.”
Anyone interested in hearing more about Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club can contact gdmw@hotmail.co.uk
