1. Introduction
More than 10 years ago, the two councils, HCC and TVBC, arranged a public consultation on a number of schemes for the enhancement of Romsey town centre. Of these, the improvement works in The Hundred and Latimer Street and the scheme for Church Place were approved and implemented whilst those in Market Place, Bell Street and Church Street did not gain public support. The town is now beginning to look very much in need of refurbishment.

The Romsey and District Society, with the full support of the two councils, decided to reopen this discussion by trying to find out what Romsonians really want. To start this process going, the renowned urban street designer, Ben Hamilton Baillie, was invited to come and give a public talk about his concepts of street design with particular reference to Romsey. The talk took place in the Plaza Theatre in March 2011 and was enthusiastically received by a capacity audience of around 200 people.

The Society's project team then decided to build on that interest by staging an exhibition and Public Consultation on these ideas. The exhibition outlined past events and current problems in the town, compared it with other towns and finally presented Ben Hamilton Baillie's initial concepts which for reference purposes are reproduced at the end of this report. These proposed a 'shared surface' scheme in Church Street, Bell Street and Market Place. The exhibition comprised 32 A1 encapsulated sheets mounted on display boards provided by the Town Hall staff. (Now reproduced here on Romseynet). The exhibition was held in the Town Hall for three days in September 2011 and concluded with a questionnaire which simply asked:

"Do you think that this approach would be right for improving Market Place, Church Street and Bell Street?"

Attendees were then invited to comment on the concepts presented and to state any alternatives they would prefer. The last panel in the exhibition made it clear that the Society was not promoting ‘shared surface’ schemes, or Ben Hamilton-Baillie, but simply using his ideas as a vehicle to find out what Romsonians really want for their town.

In view of the high level of support for the 'shared surface'concept demonstrated by the results of this exhibition, the Society urges the two councils to take these ideas forward.

2. Summary of responses

The exhibition was well attended with well over 400 visitors of whom 382 completed questionnaires. These produced a near unanimity of result: acceptance of a ‘shared surface’ scheme was over 88%.
Overall responses were as follows:

Those saying 'yes':           307
Those saying 'no':              43
Those saying 'neutral':     32

3. Summary of pattern of comments

Analysis of the questionnaires revealed some concerns to be predominant e.g. parking, pedestrianisation etc. so these were grouped together and the categories in the table below were established.

For the purpose of this analysis (only) 'Yes' and 'Neutral' responses were grouped together as their comments did not differ greatly.

The largest number of comments (21% of responses) related to car-parking. Forty per cent of these wanted to retain car-parking in the centre of town, (though 10% were of the opposite opinion), wanted better short-term parking and the provision of more off-street parking. Of those who commented on parking, 17% were concerned that a scheme like that put forward would encourage uncontrolled random parking. The second most important area of concern (13% of responses) was with the quality of materials, workmanship and maintenance of the new surfaces. Pedestrian safety was another concern, with some doubt (8 responses) expressed as to how well Market Place would function under the scheme because of the need to accommodate through traffic. There was some support for low speed limits (strictly enforced) and for additional traffic-calming measures. Concern was also expressed about the impact of shared-surface schemes upon the disabled, particularly the visually-impaired (5% of responses).

A number of particular issues were raised: that better provision for cyclists should be included (cycle-stands and cycle-ways); that more trees and shrubs should be planted; that better seating should be provided; that a shuttle-bus should be introduced; that there should be a stand for buskers. Opposition to the Millennium Pole which stands behind the statue of Lord Palmerston was expressed (9 responses), as well as some support for its retention. Several raised wider issues relating to the road system and the management of traffic in and through Romsey.

Some (7% of responses) saw a shared-surface scheme as but a step along the road to full pedestrianisation, which they favoured. Several expressed general approval of shared-surface schemes and pointed out that elsewhere. Others (18 responses) wanted the scheme to be extended beyond Church Street, Market Place and Bell Street - to The Hundred, The Meads, Newton Lane Love Lane and Middlebridge Street for example. Several expressed the view that changes should come as soon as possible. Others were concerned about the cost.

A number of people made additional comments which went beyond the subject of the exhibition. We have retained these separately.

Compiled and written by Geoff Morris and Robert Grime.
November 2011

The present Romsey Market Place

Romsey Market Place envisaged by Ben Hamilton Baillie

The present Church Street

Church Street envisaged by Ben Hamilton Baillie

The present Bell Street

Bell Street envisaged by Ben Hamilton Baillie

TOP