The new ‘People First Zone’ plans that could shift the priority from cars and vehicles to pedestrians and shoppers in key areas of the town.
People living and working in Newport are invited to comment on new ‘People First Zone’ plans that could shift the priority from cars and vehicles to pedestrians and shoppers in key areas of the town.
Creation of high quality spaces
As part of the Newport High Street Heritage Action Zone programme, the Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) partners have drawn up plans to improve Newport High Street and St James Square, to create high quality spaces where people can move around freely and easily, stop and browse in shop windows, or chat to a friend.
Based on consultation feedback
Plans for the People First Zone have been developed by a community design panel, made up of design professionals from Hampshire County Council, local residents, businesses and user groups.
The plans also account for feedback in our previous consultation exercise which gathered views on problems with the streets which were a priority to address.
View the plans
To view the plans and leave your feedback visit the dedicated Website.
Here’s what three members of the panel had to say.
Gisborne: Plans will kickstart a deeper regeneration
Liz Gisborne, resident, explained,
“As a born and bred Islander, returned after many years living on the mainland, I was rather depressed by the tatty appearance of Newport High St, and it seemed such a pity that the lovely, historic, low rise buildings are hard to appreciate through all the clutter and traffic.
“I’m very optimistic that after taking a lot of different views into account, (including wheelchair users, buggy pushers, people on foot, on bikes and in cars) the proposed changes will begin a big improvement and maybe they will kickstart a deeper regeneration and a change in the way we use the town.”
Woodford: Reclaiming street for people to enjoy
Steve Woodford, resident, said,
“My strongest belief on how the Island’s capital town can be rejuvenated is by reclaiming it for people to enjoy. Currently the primary use of the high street is as a through road for traffic that isn’t even stopping in the town centre. Cars certainly have priority and the side effect being, people do not want to spend time in the town centre and shops are not getting the business they should (that’s why so many are empty).
“Without the noise and pollution of farm trucks and other HGVs, people will be able to hear each other speak in the town centre and it can become an enjoyable place to pass time, rather than a means to get from A to B.”
Griffiths: A positive vision for Newport
Hannah Griffiths, Community Engagement Manager with Independent Arts, said it had been an honour to be involved in the community design panel.
“It was suggested we should be involved as we can represent some of the people who engage with Independent Arts who might not otherwise get involved and more recently we have moved to the High Street and can also comment as tenants.
“I am a historian by trade and have always had an interest in People and Place. Our high streets have to evolve and we are being given a chance to be involved from the outset to see how the space can be used in a different way.”
She added,
“I hope residents will see this as a positive vision for Newport that will give it a new start. It feels like this could be the kickstart for a brighter future for Newport High Street.”
Outline stage plans
The plans are at an outline stage, and still undergoing further technical evaluation, but the aim now is to allow the community’s input to genuinely influence the final scheme.
Residents feedback will help shape the detailed design stage which will follow later in the year.
Lloyd-Sweet: Newport needs to adapt
Rob Lloyd-Sweet, Historic Places Adviser at Historic England, said,
“Newport has been the market town for the Isle of Wight for 800 years, but it needs to adapt. Its streets need to better serve businesses, homes, places to meet and worship.
“I’d encourage everyone familiar with Newport – whether you’re a resident, it’s your place of work, or somewhere you visit regularly – to tell us what you want to see changed in the town centre and how it can be better. We’re helping to fund the development of new designs but it is up to the public to tell us what you want to see.”
Three phases of work starting in 2023
We are consulting on three phases of work, and it is anticipated that one of the phases will be delivered early in 2023.
Further phases will be dependent on securing additional funding.
Newport HSHAZ
Newport High Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) is a programme of activities to regenerate our historic High Street.
The HAZ is a partnership between Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council, Historic England and Isle of Wight Council.
Find out more
You can find out more about the HAZ on the Website.
News shared by Kate on behalf of Isle of Wight Heritage Action Zones. Ed
