Winchester Movement Strategy: one-way system could be made two way in radial new plans

Hampshire County Council and the city council are preparing to move forward with the Movement Strategy.

One of the priorities is to convert Friarsgate, Union Street and the two-lane part of Upper Brook Street into two-way streets.

The strategy aims to give greater priority to buses, pedestrians and cyclists and in doing so, achieve a reduction in car traffic.

Cllr Rob Humby, deputy leader of the county council said: “Since the Winchester Movement Strategy was adopted, we have been working with colleagues at Winchester City Council and partner organisations to develop proposed schemes which, if implemented, would help to reduce traffic congestion in the city centre by expanding out of town parking capacity, providing new cycle routes and schemes to encourage walking. If taken forward, these schemes could also help to improve air quality.

“The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated changes in how we work and shop which, consequently, has significantly altered everyday travel patterns. The proposals emerging from the Movement Strategy seek to enable people to adopt more sustainable ways of travelling into and within Winchester city.

"If agreed, the changes to the way roads and streets in Winchester function would set a clear course towards a lower carbon, greener and healthier city. We’re working with Winchester City Council every step of the way to ensure that the plans make a positive contribution to the quality of life of those who live, work or visit the city, and support its economic recovery."

Other projects that will be prioritised include a park and ride provision on the Andover Road corridor serving the north of the city; bus priority measures, infrastructure improvements and working with bus operators to deliver improved bus frequencies on routes across the city where demand is highest to encourage greater use of local bus services; and the improvement of conditions for cyclists and pedestrians on the route from the railway station to the city centre via The Westgate and on to the new Leisure Centre at Bar End, as well as on the Worthy Road corridor.

Cllr Martin Tod, cabinet member for economic recovery at Winchester City Council said: “The City Council is committed to delivering a strong and sustainable recovery from the pandemic. Our work with the County Council on the City of Winchester Movement Strategy is critical to enable that. We’ve been using the Movement Strategy to inform our work to reduce traffic and partially pedestrianise The Square and The Broadway at weekends. We’re also supporting investment in a new Park and Ride site in Bar End, and we recognise there is more to be done.

“This report sets out ambitions that will cut carbon and improve air quality, while enabling our city centre and wider district to thrive. Importantly, this is not just about how our streets are laid out or where people will park. Those issues are of course important, but this work is also about getting better, faster bus routes and services – as well as implementing better ways to deliver freight to shops and businesses. Working closely with residents, businesses and the County Council will be essential in delivering tangible improvements as set out in the Movement Strategy.

“We’re ambitious in our plans for the near future, and we look forward to working collaboratively, and at pace on this project as we recover from Covid-19.”

For more information on the Movement Strategy, visit: https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/strategies/transportstrategies.