Public and Stakeholder Engagement 27 January – 11 February 2022

What is the Future High Streets Fund Programme?

A central Government programme aimed at renewing and reshaping town centres and high streets to:

increase growth

improve the experience for everyone visiting the town centre

ensure a sustainable future.

Future High Streets Fund submission – Timeline of events

In 2019 and 2020 Wiltshire Council worked with stakeholders and the public to develop a list of projects which were submitted to central Government. These included:

pedestrian and public space enhancements in the town centre

improvements to the River Biss corridor

vacant commercial unit grants

Town Hall renovation & Market Chambers new use.

In 2021 Wiltshire Council was successful in securing £16.347 million to develop these projects.

Future High Streets funded projects

What are we doing now?

Projects: Pedestrian and public space enhancements in the town centre Improvements to the River Biss corridor Vacant commercial unit grants Town Hall renovation and new use for the Market Chambers
Wiltshire Council is developing each project and we seek your views and ideas on the emerging work.

The following slides give an overview of what each project is about, what we are proposing to do, and what each project aims to achieve.

This presentation is accompanied with an online survey providing an opportunity for you to give us your feedback.

Help us shape these projects by completing the survey
As projects develop we will continue to engage and consult to capture your views.

Dave Thomas

Head of Highways Asset Management and Commissioning

Wiltshire Council

What is this project about?

The original ambition was to turn the area around Hill Street into a two‐way traffic system, enabling the removal of through traffic on Wicker Hill and Fore street.

Given the complexity of delivery within the funding timescales this aspect has been deferred and the council is proposing to focus instead on improving

the pedestrian arrival points and access to the town centre.

How will we do it?

We propose to focus on five key locations, improving the pedestrian movement.

What will it achieve?

Improve the experience of walking into and around the town centre.

Facilitate safer and accessible movement through to the town centre.

Improve wayfinding (how people navigate through the town centre).

Wicker Hill could benefit from an

improved environment for pedestrians and enhanced areas of public space

Proposed intervention areas for pedestrian improvements

Locations:

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3
5
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4
1
Wicker Hill Hill Street Fore Street

2
Manvers Street

3
Church Street Union Street

4
Castle Street

5
Roundstone Street

Location 1. Wicker Hill

Existing	Suggested

Initial concept includes:

improving space for pedestrians

new paving materials to match the town centre

improved public space around River Biss

improved pedestrian route to the railway station.

Location 2. Manvers Street

Existing
Suggested
Initial concept includes:
opening the view from Sainsbury’s into the town centre

creating a stronger and safer connection between Sainsbury’s and the town centre.

Location 3. Union Street / Church Street

Existing
Suggested
Initial concept includes:
removing traffic signals and replacing with zebra crossings

widening footpaths and Improved pedestrian links

new paving materials to match the town centre.

Location 4. Castle Street

Existing
Suggested
Initial concept includes:
new paving materials on the footpath to match the town centre

reinforce the pedestrian connection between the town centre and St Stephens Place.

Location 5. Roundstone Street

Existing
Suggested
Initial concept includes:
improving pedestrian access to the town centre

potential connection to the cycle link on Hilperton Road

new paving materials to match the town centre.

Trowbridge Trail – wayfinding and public space

Pepper Barney

Director and Architect BiBO Studio

Trowbridge Trail – wayfinding and public space

This project will:

deliver a ‘Trowbridge Trail’ that encourages people into the historic town centre and improves the image and identity of the town by transforming pedestrian and public areas

How will we do it?

Develop a strategy for ‘Bringing Out the Best’ of Trowbridge that identifies the town’s unique points and destinations.

Develop a strategy for ‘Connecting the Dots’, to include the implementation of a new signage scheme to showcase the town centre’s heritage, improve links and encourage movement around the town centre.

From the above, we will design and implement the ‘Trowbridge Trail’, focusing on improving the public environment in the town centre, creating safer, easier and accessible movement and encouraging Trowbridge to be a place that people want to visit and spend time in.

What is unique about Trowbridge?

Celebrating Trowbridge’s heritage

Trowbridge Trail – wayfinding and public space
Proposed ‘Trowbridge Trail’
Tell us what you think!

What will it achieve?

Promote Trowbridge town centre as a great place to visit.

Create pleasant and memorable experiences.

Increase number of visitors, who will support local shops and businesses.

Tell us!

What should Trowbridge be known for?

What brings you here?

What makes you want to stay (or leave)?

How can we bring more people to Trowbridge?

Alice Eley and Nick Wilson

Water Team

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

This project will:

deliver exemplary environmental improvements along the River Biss corridor between Town Bridge and Castle Street Bridge

enhance and expand the existing river corridor and connect Trowbridge to its river

make Trowbridge a pleasant place to walk and cycle, increasing visiting time and encouraging footfall

How will we do it?

Create new paths, pocket parks, plant trees, install lighting and benches to improve green infrastructure and increase wellbeing and amenity value.

What will it achieve?

Improved experience walking along the river and connecting back to the High Street.

Example of a pocket park

Example of a new riverside front

Proposed intervention area and emerging ideas

Do you agree with these ideas?

Town Hall

David Lockwood

Director, Trowbridge Town Hall

Market Chambers

Tony Morgan

Project Manager, Wiltshire Council

This project will:

secure the long‐term future of the building by renovating the Trowbridge Town Hall as a cultural and community hub. Renovations will reinstate lost heritage features and create improved facilities for cultural events, community groups and creatives, supporting the regeneration of our high street.

How will we do it?

Wiltshire Council are working in partnership with the Town Hall Trust to restore the Grade II listed Trowbridge Town Hall and protect its future.

For example, this will involve:

improving the accessibility into and within the building

reducing the carbon emissions required to run the building

improving the community spaces and amenities in the Town Hall

restoring the building to its pre‐1970s glory as a destination for events in the heart of Trowbridge.

Trowbridge Town Hall – old Great Hall

Trowbridge Town Hall entrance

What will it achieve:

Diversify the cultural and leisure offer in Trowbridge.

Increase the number of people visiting the town centre and spending locally.

Increase the creative and community activity at the heart of Trowbridge.

Market Chambers:

We are exploring the potential to bring Market Chambers (old Weatherspoon's pub) back into use, so that it can become a focal point in the high street once again.

Undertake a feasibility study for Market Chambers, which may be refurbished as part of the programme of works.

How can the Town Hall benefit you?

Market Chambers

Sarah Dyke

Senior Development Officer – Regeneration and Commercial Development

Wiltshire Council

This project is:

a discretionary grants programme offering funding to businesses and organisations to bring vacant commercial units back into use.

How will we do it?

We will support the refurbishment of vacant commercial units to encourage independent businesses and start‐ups.

Encourage the conversion of upper floors of commercial premises, creating additional residential accommodation.

What will it achieve?

Reduce the number of vacant units in Trowbridge.

Create a more vibrant High Street.

Increase number of independent shops.

Increase number of new jobs.

Provide more homes in a town centre environment.

Examples of independent shops

Vibrant Trowbridge - Vacant Commercial Units Fund

Proposed intervention area for vacant commercial unit grants

What shops and activities do you need/want in the town centre?

Engagement survey

Help us shape these projects by completing the survey!
Your comments are important to us; the feedback gathered will help shape these projects.

Please complete the online survey at:

www.wiltshire.gov.uk/fhsf‐trowbridge

Alternatively contact Wiltshire Council’s Customer Services on 0300 456 0100 to request the survey as a paper copy or in a different format.

All responses to be received by 5pm on 11 February 2022

FHSF@wiltshire.gov.uk

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Pedestrian improvements in the town centre

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Improvements to the River Biss corridor

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Town Hall and Market Chambers

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Vacant Commercial Units Fund

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Cutler, Clair

2022-02-01T16:18:00Z