| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Devonshire Road Speed Limit | |
| Posted by: | Joanna Biddolph | |
| Date/Time: | 27/07/21 14:07:00 |
| I don't often post on this forum but I do like to correct errors. I fought hard to reverse the changes because they were wrong (very badly thought-through and clearly with a single issue in mind) and because so many people (traders and residents) said so. Any changes must be based on greater understanding of what is needed, why, how and by whom - not one single issue. The survey I conducted, through the Chiswick Shops Task Force, tried to do that and indeed exposed the complexities to anyone wanting to see them. The analysis made it clear that there was scope for compromise and a keenness to compromise. That opportunity has been missed. Yes, I conceived the idea to survey all traders but it's not exactly pioneering to consult fully, even if it's extremely rare in LBH. I don't know what you mean by "designed" unless you mean that it wasn't cobbled together on the back of an envelope (it wasn't) but was carefully considered to reflect concerns and options (it was). What is wrong with "even" hand delivering them? In fact, I first sent it by email. Several business owners then asked for it on paper and it was logical to drop it off so of course I did. Would posting it have been different or better? Or should I have said: "no, I've emailed it to you, print it yourself"? I wanted responses from as many businesses as possible so I was keen to make it easy for all to reply. Emailing it and hand-delivering it to those who wanted it on paper made sense; I am often on Devonshire Road. Next, "the predetermined outcome" you say I wanted ... what predetermined outcome? It was a survey of traders with only one outcome - answers given by traders. They were analysed not by me but by a market research professional. In another comment, I am criticised for not surveying residents. The survey I conducted was specifically for traders but when sending it to LBH I stressed the need to consult residents as the next step. After all, as I keep saying, Devonshire Road is a complex road; residents' views must be taken into account and, yes, those residents include residents of Devonshire Road, Prince of Wales Terrace and the Glebe Estate. The original changes were problematical for residents; the new scheme is, too. As the analysis was done by a market research professional, not me, I'm surprised about any accusation of "misrepresentation". The analysis was published and distributed and can be seen by anyone who wishes to see if the responses have been correctly represented. Here it is again: https://www.chiswickgunnersburyconservatives.org.uk/news/devonshire-road-first-survey-adhering-market-research-society-guidelines-reveals-while-over The changes have not been reversed. They have been modified into yet another badly thought-out scheme that misses the mark in many ways and I have already had complaints about it and, of course, read about others. I'm asking for improvements. What makes this all so disappointing - yet another opportunity missed by LBH to get it right - is that after my survey was published, consultants commissioned by LBH surveyed residents and traders face-to-face (is face-to-face better or worse than "even" hand delivering?). They also met me. The outcome of that has not been published. Why can't we decide for ourselves if their survey has been represented or misrepresented in the new scheme? I can't believe that the new muddle is the result of the responses they received; they seemed to me to have understood the complexities very clearly, and recognised the willingness for compromise, and these new changes don't meet them. The fact is that this new version is full of peculiarities that have created more division and anger - on the road and in our community. It could have been so different. Ultimately, all businesses on Devonshire Road deserve our keen support. The range is so diverse and so very different from anywhere else, we are lucky to have it and all who do business on it. Talk of boycotting it - as has been said on Twitter today - is absurd grandstanding. |