Parade closure led to row 50 years ago

[Extract from my programme article for the Brackley game]

In a decision that has contemporary relevance, ‘Leamington Town Council  decided [in April 1972] to ring down the curtain on The Parade closure experiment.  Traffic will be allowed to use the central section once again.  The Parade between Warwick Street and Regent Street was closed three months ago to all traffic except buses.   This was an extension of an experiment which was originally introduced on a Saturdays only basis.

The experiment proved controversial and Councillor John Neville said it had created traffic problems in other areas.   Shopping in The Parade had been improved, but at the expense of other areas.   Councillor Williams said that the idea had originally attracted wide support, but many had now changed their views. 

Some members pressed for the closure to continue, including Councillor Mrs. Patricia Redmond who said she was against the chaos, fumes and confusion which would result when The Parade was reopened.  Councillor Hopkins said that in other parts of the town which had to cope with increased traffic, there had been opposition to the scheme.  

Alderman Swain said he thought they were being cowardly in not allowing the experiment to continue to early summer.  The Mayor, Councillor Stanley Birch, said that the borough engineer had been subject to a great deal of abuse.’   The vote to end the scheme was 19 to 10.

Plans to build a £1 million sports complex at Edmondscote were shelved.   The first phase was supposed to be a multi-purpose sports hall, but road access was an issue.    An alternative site at Shrubland Recreation Ground, but the impending reorganisation of local government meant that no one was prepared to commit any money.