Pedestrianising Newbury is to be trialled, West Berkshire Council announces

Pedestrianising Newbury is to be trailled.

West Berkshire Council’s executive committee heard that an experimental traffic order will be brought in for 18 months.

During this time, a public consultation can take place following which a decision on whether or not to pedestrianise the town centre permanently will be made.

The consultation will take place while the experiment is in place.

The proposal would see the pedestrianised zone, which currently runs from 10am to 5pm, run until midnight and would affect Northbrook Street, Bridge Street, Bartholomew Street (north), Mansion House Street and Market Place.

The trial is set to last for at least six months, with residents invited to share their experiences of the new arrangements in a survey.

Martin Colston (Lib Dem, Newbury Central), portfolio holder for regeneration, said: "We believe this trial will provide a boost for our local economy as well as improving the area for residents. It will encourage more people to come out, enjoy, explore and experience our town centre.

"It sets out how we want our town centre to be; with more 'spill-out' space for cafés and restaurants and flexibility for larger events and markets, responding to new social and shopping trends.

"Importantly, it will be a trial and we want residents to experience the new arrangements and then tell us what they think about it."

Dominic Boeck (Con, Aldermaston) questioned what impact this would have on disabled people and whether it was discriminatory as it would prevent access.

He also asked about the immediate impact on taxi firms and businesses taking deliveries.

“Has all this been factored in?” he asked.

“The whole point is that it is run as an experiment and we can find out if it is working and adapt as we go along,” said Mr Colston.

An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) can be in place for up to 18 months.

The first six months should be used for the public to comment on how the scheme is working, or not.

The local authority then has the following 12 months to review all of the comments, decide how to proceed and make the order permanent if the public support outweighs the objections during the consultation.

The benefit of an ETRO is that it gives the community the opportunity to experience the proposed restrictions rather than asking them to comment on something that is theoretical without the commitment of it necessarily being permanent.