PowerPoint presentation about England's market towns for teh British Parking Association.

1. Small TownsSmall Towns
As important now as everAs important now as ever
they were … ?they were … ?
Gordon Morris and Alison Eardley
Action for Market Towns
and
Small Towns for Tomorrow
www.smalltownsfortomorrow.org

2. Small TownsSmall Towns
Why have small towns survived for so
long?
It’s simple & obvious at one level …
Because they have been necessary for
those who depend on them
&
Easily accessible

8. The reality is …
… market/country/small towns are
not homogenous …
… (we can’t even agree a definition) …
… they are diverse, and that is both …
… their strength and their weakness.

9. So, small towns – a few factsSo, small towns – a few facts
But ... they are:
home to about 11,000,000 people, & a
BIG provider of jobs
the most rapidly growing settlements in
England – some are growing (the pretty
ones) twice as fast as bigger towns, and
cities.
There are about 1,600 of them …
… all different although there are concerns
about increasing homogenization – eg
NEF’s “clone towns”

10. Differences make for strength and
weakness in terms of policy making.
Academics and practitioners want to
improve understanding of roles,
but …
… the people who live in them
just want to make them better in
practical terms: easy to reach;
easy to stay-in; good to work in;
distinctive & memorable; friendly
… & need plenty of good value
parking!

11. Small TownsSmall Towns
Accessibility is ImportantAccessibility is Important (if(if
confusing at times!)confusing at times!)

12. So, small towns are part of the futureSo, small towns are part of the future
… not the past (as if!)… not the past (as if!)
There’s no alternativeThere’s no alternative
NBNB
They have potential as test beds forThey have potential as test beds for
policy and practice-related research &policy and practice-related research &
that’s where Action for Market Townsthat’s where Action for Market Towns
(AMT) comes in …(AMT) comes in …

13. Small Town PerspectivesSmall Town Perspectives
•Action for Market towns – a voice for
small towns
•Parking remains a big issue for small
towns
•Changing role of the town centre
•New opportunities from the localism
act
•Creating the right partnerships and
funding opportunities

14. For more information:For more information:
Action for Market Towns
www.towns.org.ukwww.towns.org.uk
++++++++++
Small Towns for TomorrowSmall Towns for Tomorrow
www.smalltownsfortomorrow.orgwww.smalltownsfortomorrow.org
grmmorris@btinternet.comgrmmorris@btinternet.com