| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Demise of the High Street | |
| Posted by: | Sjoerd de Koning | |
| Date/Time: | 08/08/18 09:27:00 |
| With the exception of a few places, the US does not have as much of a High Street history, it's more about shopping malls. These have been under severe pressure for years due to Amazon, but it is much easier to take out supply there as it's usually pretty cheap buildings that can be demolished easily. This happens quite frequently outside of big cities. So not sure if looking at the US makes sense here. I like the idea of focussing on adjacent streets like Lacy Road to promote higher quality retail. If you can't improve the Street, why not move the Street? The key issue with PHS versus Barnes and such is indeed the connection to the A3 which logically cannot be overcome. I suspect it's unlikely we'll see traffic diversions just to help Putney. So except for further restrictions on cars through emission zones and promoting cycling and public transport we just have to wait for car emissions to go down. On an annual basis the existing car fleet emissions improve by c3% due to better engine technology of new cars sold and electric vehicles. That will likely accelerate once EVs reach an inflection point after 2020. However, you'll still have massive traffic flows and a High Street which is too narrow and with too much retail supply to have character. Seems to me the best intervention is to drastically rezone and take out supply of retail locations so you uphold the quality of existing stores. Go from 100 shops to 50 or so. Perhaps in combination with higher quality shops around Lacy Road. |