Bute Street - Proposed Improvements
Feedback updated 12 May 2023
We asked
We asked for your views on proposals to improve Bute Street. The key features of the proposed scheme were:
- The road would remain closed to through traffic, with access permitted only for deliveries, for the emergency services, for dial-a-ride buses and for vehicles displaying a valid disabled people’s permit. Full access for pedestrians and cyclists would be maintained
- A continuous, level footway and carriageway, paved in natural stone
- Additional planting to help improve air quality, including new trees and low-level planting and incorporating sustainable drainage where possible, to intercept rainwater and help reduce potential flooding
- Provision for at least 18 market stalls for the Saturday farmers’ market
- Spill-out space for cafes and restaurants to cater for outdoor eating and drinking
You said
We received 90 completed questionnaires. Of these 88% supported the scheme. We also received 33 separate emails commenting on the proposals.
Although there was considerable support for the scheme, there was some concern regarding the reduction in the number of market stalls that could be accommodated for the Saturday Farmers’ Market. Market traders were also concerned about temporary arrangements to allow them to continue trading while the construction work is in progress. We also received a request for a drinking fountain to be provided as part of the scheme.
We did
Although it only operates one day per week, there is a lot of support from the local community for the farmers’ market and a desire to see an increase in the number of market stalls. We have therefore reviewed the proposals to try to provide more space for market stalls and have modified the layout accordingly. The modified layout of the street now provides sufficient space to accommodate 22 stalls, which is an increase from the current 20 stalls. We have also added a drinking water fountain.
We understand the need for a temporary location for the market so that trade can continue during the work and we are exploring suitable options for discussion with the traders.
We will now be embarking on detailed design of the revised scheme and expect to start work in Spring 2023.
Overview
In 2020, to help local businesses during the Covid 19 pandemic, we closed Bute Street to motor vehicles on an experimental basis. This allowed more space for pedestrians and cyclists and enabled the restaurants and cafes on Bute Street to place tables and chairs outside their premises.
This arrangement has worked well and we would now like to make the closure permanent and create a welcoming, harmonious and flexible space accommodating the farmers’ market on Saturdays; maintaining safe access for pedestrians and cyclists and providing spill-out space for the cafes and restaurants to continue to offer outdoor eating and drinking.
We would like Bute Street to be an attractive area to shop and eat with more trees and other greenery to enhance the feel of the street.
What are the proposals?
With valued input from the Bute Street Working Group, a group made up of local businesses, residents and councillors, we have been working to develop a proposal to create an attractive area to shop and eat with more trees and other greenery and space for the farmers’ market to continue to operate.
We have listened carefully to the suggestions and concerns raised by this working group and now feel that we have a scheme that fulfils all the requirements and addresses all the areas of concern. We would now like to hear if the local community would like us to implement the scheme.
This scheme will be funded from the Council’s Car Parking Reserve. This is a funding stream which can only be used for maintenance of our highways or for environmental improvement schemes such as this.
The main features of the proposed scheme are:
- The road will remain closed to through traffic with access permitted only for deliveries and for the emergency services. Full access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained
- A continuous level footway and carriageway paved in natural stone
- Additional planting to help improve air quality, including both new trees and low-level planting
- Provision for 18 market stalls on Saturdays
- Spill out space for cafes and restaurants to cater for outdoor eating and drinking
Your participation in this consultation is voluntary. Should you choose to respond, information about how your data will be processed can be found at the bottom of the questionnaire at the end of this booklet.
Areas
- Brompton & Hans Town
Interests
- Environmental Health
- Highways
- Transport
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