Town tomorrow - where the pedestrian is king

Thursday 09 December 2021

A new vision for St. Peter Port published today by the States' Development & Planning Authority makes it clear that a vibrant and successful Town centre is dependent on improving the experience for pedestrians.

The D&PA's Development Framework has been created to guide planning applications. It focuses on three areas of regeneration and creating more welcoming gateway zones in and out of the Town centre.

The D&PA's vision is "to diversify and enrich the experience and long-term attractiveness of Town". It suggests various significant changes to achieve this.

But one change stands out most prominently through the whole document: the need to improve the experience of Town for pedestrians and to create more safe, open public spaces which are free of cars and vehicle congestion.

The D&PA's proposals follow extensive consultation, including two public drop-in sessions attended by an estimated 150 people and an online survey. Views expressed helped shape the proposals published today.  

Pictured: The D&PA has published common themes generated by consultation with the public, which were taken into account when writing the Development Framework. 

In addition, discussion organised with the Youth Forum identified the pedestrianisation of Market Street as a significant positive in Town but traffic congestion and the lack of open spaces elsewhere as significant negatives which detract from the experience of Town.

Public consultation drew out conflicting opinions on car parking. People argued both for more space for cars to help with footfall and less space for cars to promote active travel.

In the Development Framework published by the D&PA, half of the objectives for the Lower Pollet and surrounding area emphasise the need for a more pedestrian-friendly future. They include turning the North Plantation into a “well-integrated public open space and [improving] the public realm and open areas", increasing space reserved for pedestrians and re-designing the taxi rank.

Pictured: The Development Framework sets out substantial changes to the physical appearance of Town with emphasis on pedestrians and making better use of public spaces. 

The D&PA says that one "radical idea" for the South Esplanade is to send traffic underground and promote greater use of public spaces by harbour-facing restaurants.

The Development Framework also concentrates on improving experiences for pedestrians at the north end of Town. It sets out "key areas for improvements to pedestrian accessibility and movement...such as the Albert Pier roundabout, the harbour-side footway and the historic vennelles, with guidance for including better wayfinding, lighting [and] simplified junction arrangements with improved pedestrian connections".

There are proposals to develop public walkways between Mansell Street and Le Bordage and to close Trinity Square to traffic at weekends - at least partially - to allow “informal crossing points".

Pictured: Deputy Victoria Oliver, the President of the Development & Planning Authority, speaking about the emphasis on improving experiences for pedestrians in Town, said: "I think it would be safe to say it was community led."

“There were many different views, especially with parking," said Deputy Victoria Oliver, President of the D&PA.

"Some people wanted more, some people wanted less. I think that really comes through in the document - there's not one clear option that's right."

You can read the full Development Framework ONLINE HERE.