THIS is how Winchester could look in the future if civic chiefs choose to pedestrianise the city centre.

At least this is the vision put to environmental campaigners following the launch of a public consultation into the Winchester Movement Strategy.

 

The computer generated images were produced by Fulflood firm Design Engine Architects and were unveiled at WinACC’s meeting on Saturday, attended by around 100 people.

They show how Winchester could be made more open and accessible to pedestrians and cyclists, with the current pedestrian zone in the lower portion of High Street extended the full length, as well as along Jewry Street and St George’s Street.

A spokesman for Design Engine Architects said: “We have produced a report to look at whether it is possible to create a more pedestrian and cycle-focused Winchester within the next 30 years.

“Initially, it does not seek to solve the complex traffic problems that the city currently faces but looks at the telescope from the other end.

“With population growth and the associated impact on the existing infrastructure, as well as the increasing awareness of the impact of poor quality air on our health and mental wellbeing, it has become increasingly apparent that significant changes will need to be made to our traffic infrastructure to ensure that cities like Winchester continue to prosper.

“Coupled with these problems is the impact of the internet on our shopping habits, which means cities need to offer increasingly attractive destinations which will support a quality living, working and leisure experience.”

 

Commenting on the meeting, WinACC executive director Tom Brenan said: “The meeting concluded that this was, indeed, an opportunity to change Winchester for the better.

“People generally welcomed the three priorities: reduce city centre traffic; support healthier lifestyles choices; and support sustainable growth. They asked for more sense of urgency, and called on the councils to act quickly.”

It comes after last month’s publication of the emerging Winchester Movement Strategy, produced by Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council, alongside the public consultation.

As previously reported, the draft document suggested a range of measures in a bid to cut city-centre traffic and improve air quality. They include:

  • increasing capacity for park and ride services;
  • giving buses priority over cars through measures such as bus gates and bus lanes;
  • consolidating parking in larger out-of-city-centre car parks;
  • enhancing cycling and pedestrian routes across the city;
  • and changing parts of the one-way system to include two-way traffic between Friarsgate and Easton Lane, allowing drivers in and out of the city without having to circle around the entire system, reducing St Georges Street to one lane with spaces for cyclists, bus stops and deliveries, and improving pedestrian priority for Jewry Street.

It also said drivers could face congestion charges in Winchester if plans fail to work.

Following the current consultation, which runs until 11.59pm on January 13, a final document is expected to be published next spring. To take part in the consultation, visit www.hants.gov.uk/winchestermovementstrategy, call 0300 555 1388, or email strategic.transport@hants.gov.uk.

Write to letters@hampshirechronicle.co.uk.