Plans that could create ‘a playful space’ for all ages to enjoy as part of a major revamp of Ryde High Street are being shared for the first time by the Ryde Heritage Action Zone (HAZ).
A new website – www.rydehighstreet.uk – has just been launched so residents can see all the proposals, including the first stage of work to improve gateway sections at either end of the High Street.
New surface materials, new street furniture and the introduction of green planting will transform the sense of arrival under the plans, with hopes of more outside dining.
A key part of the future development of the area will be to make much more of the section of the High Street that links Minghella Square and Town Square, where the Co-op is based, encouraging the space to be used for live events and gatherings. And there is a desire to make more of the town’s links with the late Academy award-winning director Anthony Minghella CBE.
Richard Eastham from Feria Urbanism – the urban design practice appointed to explore how the High Street can be improved – says that creating a playful space where young people are encouraged to film Tik-Tok videos is just one of the ideas:
“We are looking at a multi-generational approach to this section of the High Street and as part of that we’d love to see more being made of Anthony Minghella’s links – and bring that right up to date with the Tik-Tok generation.
“Young people often feel excluded from high streets, with them often lacking in places to hang out or things to do. By describing this central section of the Ryde High Street as a place for creativity, film-making and for young people, we invite young people to take a more active and participatory role.
Article continues below this advertisement “The design of the space at Town Square and Minghella Square should be a ‘blank canvas’ for film creation. We want to encourage people to make little movies while they are enjoying a revamped High Street. We could even develop the idea further and hold a mini film festival of these mobile phone films to honour Anthony Minghella’s legacy.”
Martin Gibson, Project Manager for Ryde and Newport Heritage Action Zones, adds:
“The team at Feria Urbanism have been engaging with the public and running focus groups to be able to come up with these proposals. And now we want to hear from people who live and work in Ryde to see what they think of these ideas to rejuvenate the High Street.
“These are still concepts, and we want to know what people think. Our High Streets are changing, and we need to look at ways to keep them vibrant. We have the opportunity to make more of the space that we currently have and make it a place for all generations to enjoy”.
Walking tours with the project team have been arranged for the following dates so you can see the ideas first-hand:
- Walking Tour – Thursday 7th July, 14:00 and 18:00
- Walking Tour – Tuesday 19th July, 14:00 and 18:00
- Walking Tour – Wednesday 13th July, 19:30 (on Zoom)
You can find out more at www.rydehighstreet.uk/6-join-a-walk. The deadline for comments is Wednesday 27th July.
Ryde High Street does not need the improvement as urgently as Newport does.
Ryde High Street and Union Street is full of small independent shops with no big empty shops.
Thriving. Even has a Post Office or two.
This seems like fluff.
If you want to do something for kids, you give them something tangible like a roller park or skating rink. Something exciting.
Street furniture, green planting, new surface materials (whatever that means) = fluff.
I’m seeing tiny person big bike..they are certainly being inclusive, that cyclist has to be ten feet tall…was this a council lunchtime doodle competition? the delivery lorries will love it
Lol. It’s probably one of those rusty things with an advertising board for vapes or crepes. There was one outside Dominos recently which meant no-one could use the cycle stand. Progress.
Sounds good to me much needed improvement but need to stop lazy People driving and parking in the pedestrian area as traffic warden don’t do anything also stop lazy People parking in the turning area of John street
I’m all for improving the environment in town centres, Lord knows they need it.
But it’s a much overstated myth that ‘there is nothing for young people to do’.
It just needs a little education to show them, with a little thought and a little support, that they themselves could easily create their own worthwhile activities.
Filming each other doing very little is not the answer, and most of what I have seen of ‘young peoples’ Tik Tok video clips actually portray stupid and dangerous stunts and activities. They are very poor examples of behaviour.
Please let’s have cleaner, more pleasant streets in our towns an villages, but for everbody!
Improvements? It looks exactly the same as it does now.
I wonder how much this genius idea cost in consultancy fees. You could have probably asked a 5 year old!
This is perhaps the most embarrassing waste of money I’ve seen in a while, and that’s saying something over here.
The town needs clearing of drunks, druggies, and a proper outdoor market. Not this crap.
Absolute garbage. Does Ryde Council really need a consultancy to get the pavement fixed. Paint the dilapidated shop fronts and removing all the pavement chewing gum. ??Then send the kids to the beach!
This is the sort of mindless garbage that has seen Ryde’s decay over the last 20 years! Employ some council workmen plant trees and flowers and paint the place! Oh another radical thought …re open Ryde Youth Club!
What is the justification for the statements that “young people often feel excluded from high streets” and the idea that parts “should be a ‘blank canvas’ for film creation”? Did anyone even stand with a clip board and note the estimated age of those who walked past them and did anyone actually ask a CROSS Section of passers by what they wanted? As for film creation, I would guess that potential film directors were few and far between!! On a practical note, all that “street furniture” will make deliveries impossible for the thriving independant shops that make Ryde such a pleasure to visit. What are we doing? We should encourage EVERYONE
Usual wooly thinking by Ryde Council/HAZ. I wonder how much Feria Urbanism charged for their consultation process ? And dropping Anthony Mingella’s name into it, shows what depths they will plummet to, in the hope this will make their current “on trend” populist thinking sound like a jolly good idea and money well spent. However, the idea of TikTok movies as the kids smash up the place, may appeal to some. Sadly, I’m not one of them. Stupid thinking,stupid Council with yet another stupid idea !