The future of Matlock

Speech by Cllr Martin Burfoot, 12 Megdale, Matlock, DE4 3JW delivered to Matlock Mercury on Thu 24th Jul 2008

Dear Madam

It is hardly surprising that some residents and traders should continue to occupy your correspondence columns week after week, concerning Matlock's problems, especially given what most people recognise as a national, even worldwide, recession which is inevitably affecting local business.

However, there are many things which can be done and which are already being done in Matlock to try to attract visitors and promote local businesses.

I do not believe that encouraging more and more traffic congestion is one of them.

Despite the negativity of some of your correspondents, the Town Council, Matlock Partnership, Civic Association, Matlock Live, our excellent primary schools and other organisations are working hard through lobbying and many individual, voluntary projects to try to enhance Matlock and make it more attractive to potential visitors.

Obviously, there is a great deal more to be done, but those who give their time voluntarily, year after year, organising or working on projects and promoting the town, deserve more praise than the perpetual 'whingers' are prepared to admit. A few days ago, I took a day's leave from work in order to escort the East Midlands in Bloom judges round the town, regrettably without any media support. They were immensely impressed by the many projects they were shown, from Hall Leys Park, the Wayfinder interpretation plaques, hanging baskets and planters, to Denefields, the Allotments (including a new wildlife garden), Baileys Tump, the Wild Thyme Garden and several attractive residential roads. Finally we saw some wonderful wildlife conservation projects being undertaken by staff, parents and pupils at All Saints Junior School. These initiatives show what is being and still can be done - given help from local residents as well as traders - to make our town something worth seeing.

However, I believe that our District (supposedly 'Changing the Face of Matlock') and County Councils need to do a great deal more to make our town a welcoming destination. This is particularly noticeable to potential visitors from the north, whose first view of Matlock is of a new roundabout and road verges, which are an unkempt mass of weeds, followed by the awful relief road and expensive car parks, yet nobody in authority seems willing or able to do anything about them.

They all fail to appreciate that cosmetics are important to tourists (Buxton being a prime example of what is good) so come on Matlock, let's all make that extra effort to improve our town, but at the same time fight for the best scheme for Crown Square - without more traffic signals - and keep the already reduced traffic flow moving through the town centre, while improving conditions for pedestrians.

Yours faithfully

Cllr Martin Burfoot (Matlock Town Councillor)