Greater Mobility
The increase in car ownership over the last ninety years has made travelling easier. Along with the introduction of package holidays the increase in motorways built in the 1950’s allowed people to travel
In recent years competition between budget airlines alongside tourism programmes have transformed tourism.
in the 1970’s has slowed down tourism. The introduction of 70mph speed limits and the speed restriction on almost all cars today of 155mph are slower than the 1960s. Modern day aeroplanes are slower than the Concorde’s and 747’s invented in the 1960s. The concern for the environment and fuel prices than that in the 1960s means ships are also slower. Today documents/conversations can be sent instantly all over the world through the internet via instant messaging and email. Back in the 1960s information would have to be physically carried from one place to the other.
The location of Bewdley in the UK
Bewdley is a market town located at a bridging point of the river Severn in the county of Worcestershire. Bewdley is a Norman French word meaning Beautiful place. Bewdley is located west of Kidderminster and to the southwest of Birmingham on the A456. Birmingham is a major contributor to Bewdley’s tourism with 2 million potential tourists.
Bewdley’s sphere of influence is in creased by its access to and from Birmingham via the M5, M6 and M42. The fact Bewdley is located on the river Severn increases its tourist attraction, as do attractions like the Severn Valley Railway, West Midlands Safari Park, Bewdley Museum and St Peter and St Paul Church (The most important Norman church in Worcestershire.
Maps
This is a map of Bewdley 1:200,000
This is a map of Bewdley 1:100,000
This is a map of Bewdley 1:50,000
Route of investigation
I’m investigating the hypothesis “Does tourism have a negative impact on Bewdley”. To test my hypothesis I have five key questions. 1. Does Bewdley attract many tourists? 2. Do most facilities and amenities cater for tourists? 3. Does tourism have a negative/positive effect on the environment of Bewdley? 4. Does Bewdley have a large sphere of influence? 5. Is there a traffic congestion problem in Bewdley? In addition to the key questions I also used a questionnaire to find out what the public think this had some very interesting results.
Reasoning for choosing the key questions
- Does Bewdley attract many tourists? This question will assess how many people visit Bewdley, how long they stay and where they came from. These points can be researched further to find out what attractions people travel to visit, and how this affects pollution and Bewdley’s environment environmental and traffic surveys could illustrate this.
- Do most facilities and amenities cater for tourists? This question is designed to establish the facilities Bewdley has for tourists. This information will fully identify which facilities are fully utilised. E.g. if there is an attraction that benefits tourists be is not used by locals how beneficial is this attraction out of the tourist season. Are there facilities for the local population or is Bewdley designed as a “honey pot” for tourists only.
- Does tourism effect the environment of Bewdley? This question is designed to assess the affects of tourism on the natural environment. Does tourism increase the amount of litter, noise, and air pollution? Does congestion on narrow roads effect vegetation or disturb the hedgerow environments? Does noise pollution affect animals and interrupt mating or milk production of cows. If there is evidence of a negative impact then is the attraction of Bewdley being reduced? Is it a victim of it’s own success?
- Does Bewdley have a large sphere of influence? This will establish whether Bewdley attracts domestic or foreign tourists or both. The question will also establish whether Bewdley attracts a range of age groups or one in particular e.g. the retired/elderly tourist.
- Is there a problem of traffic in Bewdley? This question will establish whether traffic congestion is growing as a problem in Bewdley. To answer this question a traffic survey of traffic entering and exiting Bewdley is required. Data will need to be recorded on the main routes into Bewdley.
METHODOLOGIES
Traffic Count
The purpose is to identify the main traffic flows and areas of congestion groups of 10 pupils were given four locations: 1) Severnside/Load street 2) High street 3) welshgate 4)Dog lane. Groups split into 2 and 1 group measured modes of transport exiting Bewdley the counts were taken for 10 minutes every two hours 3 counts in all. It was important we positioned ourselves safely due to health and safety regulations where we also didn’t obstruct other pedestrians. Results were recorded in a tally was added up. This exercise helps identify areas of congestion and popular routes, which suggest travel directions and possible start directions of travel and possible, start locations. (Traffic count attached)
Pedestrian count
The information can identify overcrowded areas. Attraction to local sites and times of congestion. (pedestrian count attached)
Litter Count
The purpose of this exercise is to give data of pollution at various sites. The count was carried out at six locations in Bewdley. A table attached. An area of the street was chosen (approximately 4 square metres) and the litter under each heading was counted.
Environmental survey
1) Noise pollution 2) Pavement condition 3) Air pollution 4) vandalism 5) Traffic congestion and 6) Litter pollution. A scale of +5 to -5 was used to rate each site -5 being disgusting and 5 being pleasant. This exercise is based on my judgement and so are the results rather than scientific facts. (Survey attached)
Photographs
Land use survey
This survey is designed to establish the different land uses in Bewdley such as: retail, tourist, residential, industrial and commercial. A land use map would identify the different types of land use and would be recorded by 2 groups walking up the sides of the streets.
Questionnaire
The aim of the questionnaire that was drawn up was to establish the different views of the local people and tourists and a certain time and location. The questionnaire asked the people directly what they thought of tourism in Bewdley and what other facilities could be introduced by the council to improve quality of life for the residents of Bewdley.
Tax disc survey
we assessed Bewdley’s sphere of influence by standing in a car park looking at which post office issued the tax disc. From this we found out how far the person travelled to Bewdley.
Problems and Improvements
Another problem with the timing was it was mid-week, most people were working. If we went on the weekend more people would have been there and there would be no work/school and it’d be a ideal family day-out.
The timing couldn’t have been worse. When we arrived everyone was at work and we left before they did causing us ti miss the rush hours. Due to the month time and day we only met the retired residents and the odd tourist.
The weather wasn’t on our side, every few minutes there would be a few droplets of rain followed by sunny spells for an hour or so followed by cloud. This caused many people to travel by car in fear of getting wet. Where as on a sunny clear day we’d have met more people.
Data analysis
In the environmental survey we collected data at 6 different locations: Riverside North, Severnside, High street, Park Lane, Welch gate and Dog Lane.
We discovered Park Lane was the cleanest location. It had the least litter, vandalism and the cleanest pavements along with the least noise/air pollution and traffic congestion. The low amount of traffic congestion also brings down the numbers of noise and air pollution to a certain extent.
The worst location however was Dog lane; it’s literally going to the dogs. The pavements were covered in litter, gutters and open spaces built for pleasure were littered with cans, crisp packets and other miscellaneous wrappings.
