An inclusive consultation process held over summer 2006 consulted with a range of stakeholders, residents and visitors to the town through manned and unmanned exhibitions and over the internet. The four public exhibitions had a combined footfall of over 6000. There were over 2500 questionnaires received as part of the exhibitions and displays, by post and the internet. The main task of the consultation team was to engage with the public on the bigger picture, communicating and gathering views on the concepts. The questionnaire was also designed to get the maximum interaction from the respondents so as to get an informed opinion. Maximum communication and engagement from respondents being the main objective, the comprehensive answers from the questionnaires and their analysis was to be the main deliverable of the consultation exercise. Based on this it was necessary to separate out the nonparticipatory ones or those who were at the various events only to register a protest vote from the participatory ones who may or may not have been opposed to the idea of the bridge, but were engaged enough to give constructive criticisms and reasoning for their choices. Such a separation amounted to about 56% of the respondents being opposed to the bridge and not wanting to be a part of the consultation process with 44% being supportive. Of the 44% who were involved 89.9% registered their choices of the bridge designs, whilst 10.1% were against the bridge but gave their reasons for their opposition, most of which have now been or being addressed. |