Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#1
This morning I returned to my usual dog walking route to the sea-front now the works are nearly finished and had my first proper look at the new scheme.
Now I am no stick in the mud and I have no problem with change. I am sure the scheme looked great on paper, on maps and in computer graphics. I also, unlike some, thought it was great that cash was being spent on regeneration of the sea-front.
But I have to admit seeing it now, close to finished, I was completely underwhelmed and was most disappointed. It just did not look and feel right. In fact it just felt totally wrong.... There was absolutelty no 'wow factor', none at all. It is terrible.
Then you get to just before the slipway and it ends, There is a patch of new red tarmac, then the old surface and 'street furniture'.
looking at Dover's promenade as a whole it looks a total mess, a dogs dinner of a sea-front. Just horrible.
Dover Harbour Board and everyone else involved in the scheme should hang their heads in shame, they have spent (wasted) a pile of money and ruined the sea-front in the process.
#2
OH thats terrible , i havent been down since the remodeling started but i didnt understand why the seafront needed change it was wonderful as it was.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#3
Have just taken this picture this minute....so just a short while after BarryW's walk. Yes indeed Barry is right about the patch of new red tarmac which is a little unfortunate. But overall I think the whole thing will look better once its landscaped with assorted bushes and flowers.
But what do you think?
One extra little item. I had a whinge a short while ago about the refreshment outlet/caravan blocking the green cycle lane. Hark! its been moved, see picture, cycle track now clear of obstruction...perhaps someone was reading this forum!
Back to add this blown up section to show triangle referred to:
Just behind boats where new joins old.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#4
It looks better from high up than from ground level Paul.
Close up you really see how the seafront has been split in two and the contrast is very stark.
I dont really know what to call them, 'planters' perhaps, the wavy bits - they just seem too high and prominent, out of proportion and wrong. It looks messy.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#5
You may well be right BarryW re ground level/high up.
here's another shot just taken...a bit better, bit closer up
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#6
disagree with you barry, the new seafront is find very interesting, they were starting to lay turf there yesterday afternoon.
i think it might attract visitors too, i have not seen a design like that before on a seafront.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#7
Howard you said "i have not seen a design like that before on a seafront."
There may be a good reason for that!!!
The simple fact is that. as a whole, there is no consistency of design taking in the whole promenade. Whatever your tastes to have a nice new half disconnencted from the other half, looking old, worn and even with different colour tarmac does not add to a good experience.
As I said, in my view, the look of the renovated section is messy and a big disappointment to say the least. I do not think that finishing the turfing will change that.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#8
Take the boat trip out and see it from the port and it looks great ,so that is how the public see it when they come in off the ferrys etc.
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
#9
The White Cliffs boat tours are advertising *Take our trip to see the new wave*. I walked along Prince of Wales for free and it looks like a wonky wall. Also I can see the shingle beds enclosed by the new footpaths to the beach will soon be full of litter and weeds unless they're well looked after (have a close look at the upturned boat shelter in front of the yacht club to see how well that has been looked after). On the plus side the new paths down to the beach have improved access for prams, wheelchairs, mobility buggies etc to the tea hut.
I lived away from Dover during my school years but remember coming back for a holiday around 1960 and my Grandad telling me you must get down the seafront to see the new red tarmac - so patience Barry, take a look in 50 years and that bit might have blended in!
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
#10
Barry I think you are wrong about the new part of the prom, I think it is fantastic and will only be improved once the lighting and planting is finished and the "bays" fitted with semi circular benches.
Where I do agree with you is that the new resin bonded surface should have been extended to take in the whole of the main part of the prom from the bottom of the slope to the POW pier along to the toilets by the Premier Inn
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