Evaluation
Bideford quay is, in many ways, the unintended outcome of other initiatives. Exploiting the opportunity presented by major civil engineering, those involved have managed to create a strikingly contemporary public space. It has a light, clean, breezy quality that combines well with the stylish lighting and intriguing public art. The broad and animated spaces connect the activities of the river frontage to the rest of the town, and there is significantly more interaction between slower moving passing traffic and those working on or enjoying the quayside. The regenerative effect is palpable when the farmers' market takes place, when tourists and local children gather to watch the comings and goings of the boats, or when the spectacular New Year's celebrations light up the street scene.
Particularly impressive has been the unity of civil engineering, architecture and urban design, as well as how a varied team from different disciplines and organisations formed to see a difficult project through to completion. The standard of workmanship is exceptional for the UK. The distinctive lighting columns are made to work hard, carrying banners, CCTV cameras, 'senior and junior' luminaries, public notices as well as festival lights. Some are dummy columns, but the rhythm of columns and trees provides the essential design coherence.
The local press gave the scheme some grudging approval after the major battles were over, but grumbled that the narrowness of the carriageway increased traffic congestion. However, if anything the carriageway is too wide at six and a half metres, and the team regrets the excessive road markings and signage. The signal controls could have been better positioned to align with key desire lines. There are other shortcomings: some of the stainless steel furniture is rusting in the maritime atmosphere, and there are inadequate levels of maintenance. A cycle route has been included half-heartedly, and the new streetscape stops suddenly and too soon at the nearby car-parks and at Bideford Bridge.
The changes introduced do not seem to have reduced road safety. On the contrary, despite the increases in traffic and the greater number of pedestrians and children attracted by the quayside, a comparison of accidents between November 2000 to December 2002 and November 2004 to December 2006 shows a slight decline in both serious and slight injuries.
Bideford quay merits careful study for those facing the challenge of reversing decline through the creation of forward-looking and practical streetscapes in the challenging context of marine waterfronts.
CABE is encouraging local authorities, highways designers and developers to bring together the needs of all street users. Some disabled people, particularly visually impaired people, have concerns about the safety of streets, where there is not a clear distinction between spaces for pedestrians and motorists. We look forward to the findings of new work and research underway to help develop successful approaches to designing streets that work better for everyone. In support, CABE will be publishing a paper in 2008 to support an open dialogue about the conflicts that can arise between different users of our streets to help us move towards a better informed position on the design of integrated streets.
