Pippa Martin
Appearances
The Planet Reigate Podcast
38: The Reigate dog group and ideas for a Redhill town centre bridge… and more
I do. Fifty years ago, we thought that a bridge from the station over the roundabout to the centre of Red Hill would be practical so that the traffic can move freely underneath and the pedestrians can enter the centre of Red Hill. It could also be a landmark for Red Hill. It can be a beautiful construction and it can be something that Red Hillians can be proud of.
The Planet Reigate Podcast
38: The Reigate dog group and ideas for a Redhill town centre bridge… and more
People, unfortunately, come to Redhill very often, and the first thing they think of is how can they get out of Redhill, which is a shame, but they come for the supermarket, basically, and now, hopefully, they'll come for the rise, for the light, and the new atmosphere that's being created in Redhill. It's a town of optimism.
The Planet Reigate Podcast
38: The Reigate dog group and ideas for a Redhill town centre bridge… and more
I see it going slightly from the north to where more where the bicycle and the car park is, going over the roundabout. I think it'll have to be quite curvy and skewed. It can't be a straight bridge. Over possibly McDonald's, right into the centre of Redhill.
The Planet Reigate Podcast
38: The Reigate dog group and ideas for a Redhill town centre bridge… and more
I'm just an artist with a vision. But look, you've got this area here. There's room for a bridge. It wouldn't actually inhibit the market because the market can be north and south of a bridge. I think basically because I'm a complete green addict, I want trees and greenery. I want it to be a feeling of peace, that you come to the Red Hill and it can be an enjoyable experience.
The Planet Reigate Podcast
38: The Reigate dog group and ideas for a Redhill town centre bridge… and more
I don't want people to say to me anymore... I can't wait to get out of Redhill. It was cited at Christmas as being the second worst town in Surrey, and it's not true. This is a pedestrian precinct. It had started being truly litter-free. I mean, the Green Party and the borough have litter collection. This is a great cafe run by a Turkish family.
The Planet Reigate Podcast
38: The Reigate dog group and ideas for a Redhill town centre bridge… and more
They have fresh food every day, beautiful coffee, and Redhill is a very cosmopolitan town. We are of every colour and creed.
The Planet Reigate Podcast
38: The Reigate dog group and ideas for a Redhill town centre bridge… and more
I think you ought to meet Andy Nash, who is the manager. He is phenomenal. Everybody respects him. It's always spectacularly clean. All the shops are well-staffed. They're polite. And on a freezing cold day, you can come and sit there and keep warm.
The Planet Reigate Podcast
38: The Reigate dog group and ideas for a Redhill town centre bridge… and more
Well, I think if you're 18, it's fantastic. To an 80-year-old, it's not quite the joy. I love being outside. But look, it's now open till midnight.
The Planet Reigate Podcast
38: The Reigate dog group and ideas for a Redhill town centre bridge… and more
Oh, I do, yes, absolutely. I've only lived here 50 years.
The Planet Reigate Podcast
38: The Reigate dog group and ideas for a Redhill town centre bridge… and more
Absolutely. I am the civic chairman for Red Hill. I have a very big committee. I have people who support what I do. It's a society which was started in 1951 to save Reigate Priory. And then it grew. We do need a civic society so that people have a voice, so that they can say what they think. We can make the changes if we the people want it.
The Planet Reigate Podcast
38: The Reigate dog group and ideas for a Redhill town centre bridge… and more
If people want a town that's fit for their children and grandchildren, for the future, go into www.rigotredhillsociety.com. I'm passionate, but then I'm passionate about anything.