11:53am Wednesday 7th April 2010
By rob beavan
The issue ?
Who is a better Doctor Who - Matt Smith or David Tennant.. ?
It's a thorny issue and can divide household opinion.
If you are a Facebook user you can choose to stand in one of the many Doctor Who encampments such as "Matt Smith is better than David Tennant", "David Tennant is better than Matt Smith", etc
What's my opinion ? Personally, I don't like all the prejudging that has taken place about Matt Smith and I think he did an excellent job. So, I lend my support to the Matt is better than David campaign (though admittedly this is partly fuelled by the added bonus of my wife's reaction when I 'dis' DT !!)
In case you missed it, Doctor Who had some filming carried out recently in nearby Skenfrith.
Doctor Who is not the only divisive factor in Hereford.
Take the new link road as an example.
17 businesses will have to relocate as part of the works and the plan is that some of the inner ring road traffic problems will be alleviated.
Okay, so I'm not one to hang on to the 'David Tennant' Hereford City and I do really believe that something needs to be done to help Hereford City prosper (as it should considering the substantial commercial reach it has into rural areas).
However, the new 'Matt Smith' Hereford City does give me a few reservations. I'm not entirely sure how traffic problems will be alleviated by pushing traffic from Commercial Road onto an already congested Edgar Street.
Maybe someone can enlighten me ?
We don't have the best track record when it comes to traffic management - I'm thinking High Town traffic reversal and the abomination that is the Belmont / ASDA roundabout here.
I'm not against the Edgar Street Grid project as a concept as we most definitely need a new cinema, and the weird one way access to Maylord Orchards is ridiculous,etc but I think it the ESG people need to tread a little carefully.
The City Centre really needs some TLC. This is why I am gladdened to hear of the news that part of the Chadds department store is to be refurbished.
I recently took my 93 year old Gran for a tour of the City Centre and didn't dare take her down Commercial Street - she would have been heartbroken to see the former Chadds store in its current delapidated state. This is good news indeed. We need more like this.
My final parting shot - I hope the ESG people really do make an impact in regards to access to the City Centre. I decided recently to take myself and my 3 kids to town recently - using the bus. You know, to do my bit and limit congestion, etc.............it cost almost £9.00 for a return journey !!!
I won't be doing it again - I can park my car all day for much less than that ! Where is the incentive to use public transport??
Okay - I lied. This will be my parting shot.
Please, please, please can NCP or whomever install machines so that we pay on exit from car parks, thus paying only for the time that we park and not in chunks based upon anticipation of the visit. Let's keep up shall we...
Until next time......
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