Rochdale should create a riverside, heritage themed town centre

Yep we never seem to get it right first time.

Always a bodge it and badge it.

[quote="Chill37"]As for a third shopping centre- regardless of style we dont need it.  Speaking of style look at how old Trafford Centre looks now.  very old and beaten..[/quote]

These illustrations in architects perspective, with lollipop trees and strolling pedestrians are created to sell expensive ideas to gullible decision makers keen to enter into that dated fantasy world of civic centres of the future with marvellous flat concrete walkways and happy shopping malls where ideal families spend their leisure time buying electric tin openers and titanium coated golf clubs. This is all the world of betamax video and quadrophonic hi fi, a future that didn't quite pan out. Most of us have made that sort of mistake in buying something, a look in the cupboards or the attic will probably find such promising but discarded gadgets. Hopefully we learn to see past the advertising and choose something that works, that lasts, that does the job and we are comfortable with. Any kind of civic riverside featuringexciting items such as glass covered inspection holes and coffee bars with umberellas will soon lose whatever novelty value it may have.

[quote="Atlas"]
I agree with previous recommendations that the project should reflect a natural classical look in keeping with the majority of its surroundings. We don't want 'gherkins' or porcupines' or anything else that is the trend. We want something that generations can appreciate - and we want it to last without constant renovation.

How often do we have to say it --.  GET IT RIGHT FIRST TIME. It's cheaper in the long run.[/quote]

You can't get more natural and classic than nature itself, it's there waiting to come into town along the river, just needs some space, obstacles removing and remedial environmental work doing. If high explosives seem too radical, it could be done by many people with sledgehammers, and picks and shovels, it would take at least ten times as long as the dynamite option and cost ten times as much, but whatever happens or doesn't happen can only reflect the political and cultural mindset of the town.

And of course whatever design is decided upon, if it is, will need to be wheelchair freindly.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/88089/woman-in-wheelchair-punched-in-face-in-attempted-robberyand8207

Im shocked and stunned. I've lost count of the number of posts on social mdeia saying the streets of Rochdale are perfectly safe and comparable areas- such as London/Manchester have more crime. The double strength rose tinted spectacles at work therre.

Clearly the cold hard brutal truth speaks volumes. The questions begs the motives of people that choose or attempt to cover up crime , or indeed, turn a blind eye to facts like this. Extremely dangerous ground being trod.

Perhaps we get used to being shocked and stunned by what goes on.

I don't understand why you would need to blow up anything????

Have you seen pictures of the original?

It would appear from what I have seen of the designs that insufficient 'opening' is being considered. It does need as much river length re-opened as is practical to present day circulation and some 'inspiration' on the bridges and walkways.

Use was made of the river width itself in the old days which shows if the Victorians could produce an extravaganza then surely present day designers and constructional engineers could do the same.

Yes. It will be expensive. What do you want ???????? A good job that will last a century or a pathetic attempt like the old 'Black Box' affair???

Yes it will be expensive, and money is desperately needed for essential services.

It is difficult to move from fixed ideas of how things should be done to properly consider a CHEAPER, quicker and more effective way to do things with modern technology. Someone who understands river systems iand their ecology, what sort of landscape people are attracted to and benefit from, and what can be done with the skilled use of modern explosives, could perhaps put the case forward properly.

My comments have been too generalised. Iif you look at the map of the river, imagine a series of 'bomb craters' along it, and what the improved effect would be after just a few years in re-naturalising the river environment, and making it attractive, you might get the picture. The potential practical drawback is in global warming, with mosquitoes on the increase.

The plan presently being considered is impractcally expensive, reinforces the old concrete 'civic prison' mentality, and would attract litter and louts. Society has changed, years ago, Hollingworth lake was seen as a dreary, functional resevoir, now families flock to it.

Yes. I see where you were coming from with your 'natural' landscape effects. But the problem in the centre is 'space'!!


So - how has the 'opening' progressed?  Is it what you expected it would turn out like? And could you improve it given the restrictions of 'space' and utility'?