INTERIM RESULTS FROM THE SURVEY BY LOCAL LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

ON 'WORLD CLASS STRATFORD'

SUMMARY

Nearly two thirds of respondents are opposed to the idea of another bridge across the Avon. If there is to be a bridge, a very substantial majority favoured a location by Lucy's Mill.

Concerns were expressed about World Class Stratford, with only 1 person in 7 saying that they knew enough about the project. Top priority for improvement in the Town was traffic flow, with only limited priority for upgrading the Bancroft and Rec.

REPLIES TO SURVEY QUESTIONS

The Bridge

Should there be another pedestrian / cycle bridge across the river Avon? 36% Yes 64% No

If yes, where should it be? by the RSC 16%

by the ferry/ brass rubbing centre 12%

next to the existing tramway bridge 8%

a replacement for Lucy's Mill bridge 63%

other 1%

Thus, if there is to be a bridge, nearly two thirds favour a replacement for Lucy's Mill bridge. Of the 36% in favour of a bridge, only 28% of that 36% preferred an option in the neighbourhood of the current proposal by the County Council.

How important is it to you that the foot ferry across the river should be retained?

Very important 69%

Important 23%

Unimportant 8%

World Class Stratford

Do you feel you know enough about the World Class Stratford project? 13% yes 87% no

Do you have any particular concerns about World Class Stratford (please specify) 72% yes 28% no

Preferred method for consultation

How do you prefer to be consulted and informed about what is proposed?

Public exhibitions 20%

Leaflets from the Council 40%

Local press 33%

Other 7%

The favoured method for information is clearly Council leaflets. The local press also scored highly, with a third of respondents preferring that method. Exhibitions, the method chosen by the County Council for their current consultation on the bridge, were favoured by only one in five.

Priorities to improve the Town

Respondents were asked to rank their top three from a list of seven (with additional provision for write in options). Weightings were given for higher preferences and the results ranked to give a total of 100.

Traffic flow improvements 28

Pedestrianisation 15

Park and ride schemes 11

Upgrade the Bancroft 7

Improve Town Square 22

Upgrade the Rec 8

Leisure centre facilities 9

Two of the main improvement targets of this stage of World Class Stratford - the Bancroft and the Rec- are not currently seen as high priorities by residents.

Methodology

Surveys have been delivered by hand during the month of September. Approximately 90% of the Town has been covered to date with an intended completion date for the rest of the Town of 30th September.

2512 surveys have been returned to date. Analysis is being carried out by Dr Geoff Freeman, a Consultant Statistician and a previous Chairman (Lib Dem) of the District Council. Approximately three quarters of the surveys received are included in the analysis above. Results are being analysed by area within the Town, but there appear to be only very minor variations in opinions in the different parts of the Town.

25th September 2006