Shopper Survey 18.07 · Newbury Town Council Shopper Survey 18.07.2020 in partnership with Newbury...

Newbury Town Council Shopper Survey 18.07.2020 in partnership with Newbury BID – combined results, vPublished 27.08.2020

Shopper Survey 18.07.2020Final version, 27.08.2020

Making Newbury a town we can all be proud of



Contents

1. Background & Methodology 2

2. Sample characteristic 3

3. Frequency of Visits to the Town centre, with Reasons 4

4. Desired changes / improvements to the town centre 6

5. Impact of the current temporary 24 hour vehicle restrictions 15

6. What should happen after 31st August? 19

7. Questionnaire 25

1



Background & Methodology

• Newbury Town Council’s strategy calls for the permanent pedestrianisation of the Market Place• The banning of vehicles from Cheap Street between the Corn Exchange and Mansion House Street, with traffic from

Northbrook Street continuing from Mansion House Street along Wharf Street to Bear Lane.

• The Covid-19 crisis has resulted in a temporary 24 hour vehicle ban from the town centre

• John Lewis, Café Rouge and ASK Italian have all confirmed they will not re-open their Newbury premises

• Newbury Town Council has just set up a new Town Centre Working Group to develop ideas and plans for the future of the town centre

• In this context NTC resolved to survey shoppers to see:• what changes they would like to see in the town centre to make it more attractive• what impact they see from the temporary 24 hour vehicle ban• what they would like to happen after the temporary vehicle ban period has finished

• A team of 9 Councillors interviewed a random selection of shoppers on Northbrook Street on Saturday 18th July 2020 between 9.30am and 3pm• The questionnaire was agreed in advance by the P&H committee on 13th July. Questionnaire is shown in appendix 1.• 147 interviews were completed

• Same survey posted online by Newbury BID• The survey was conducted in a spirit of partnership with the Newbury BID who posted the survey online from 18th – 21st July• 321 people completed the online survey

• Analysis was carried out in Excel

2



Sample Characteristics

• Overall 72% live within 3 miles of the town centre• 61% of the NTC in-person sample• 78% on the BID online sample

3

• Overall 47% work in Newbury• 36% of the NTC in-person sample• 52% on the BID online sample

• Overall 46% walked or cycled to the town centre• 43% of the NTC in-person sample• 48% of the BID online sample

• Big opportunity for more active travel and public transport: • 72% live within 3 miles and yet only 46%

came on foot or by bike, and only2% used public transport.



Frequency of Visits to the Town centre, with Reasons

• The NTC in-person sample visit the town centre much more frequently than the BID online sample

4



Frequency of Visits to the Town centre compared to before Covid-19

• Unsurprisingly, almost 2/3 of respondents said they have been visiting the town centre less often than before Covid-19

5



What changes to the town centre would encourage you to visit more often to shop?

• Most popular choice was more independent shops, with 28% of the responses

• Second most popular was cheaper parking with 22% of the responses

• And third was improvements to the market with 16% of the responses

• Details of the responses and the comments, and the 8% ‘Other’ are in the following pages

6



For the 28% respondents who wanted more independents:What kind of independent outlet would you like to see?

28% of respondents would like more independent outlets:

• Most popular choice by far was more independent shops, with 50% of the responses

• 23% wanted more independent restaurants

7



For the 22% respondents who wanted cheaper parking:What changes to parking would you like to see?

22% of respondents would like changes to the parking charges:

• Most popular choice was free parking for the first 2 hours – with 40% of respondents

• 31% wanted the first hour to be free

• 29% wanted free evening / Sunday parking

• All comments on parking are shown on page 10

8



For the 16% of respondents who wanted changes to the market:What changes to the market would you like to see?

16% of respondents would like to see changes to the market:

• Most popular choice – by 50% of respondents - was for a wider selection of stalls on Thursdays and Saturdays

• 29% wanted more farmers and artisan markets

• 20% wanted a covered market area

• Of the 16 people who made detailed comments, 9 suggested the market should move to Northbrook Street

• All comments on the market are shown on page 10

9



Detailed comments on Markets and Parking– NTC in-person sample

Suggestions from the in-person respondents:

10

Parking comments1 Cheaper parking

2 Cheaper parking

3 Cheaper - Henley £3.20 for whole day

4 Parking too expensive

5 Make car parking free

6 Free after 4.30pm like Andover

7 Free parking at night

8 Free roadside parking

9 Free roadside parking

10 Voucher scheme for shops

11 Machines that give change

12 Make them pay

13 Cost of parking. Heavy shopping

14 Different rules between private at WBC car parks

15 Might eat too (as well as shop if parking free / cheaper)

16 Street parking

17 Pay when you leave

Market comments1 Northbrook St

2 Northbrook St

3 Northbrook St

4 Northbrook St

5 On Northbrook St

6 On Northbrook St

7 Good in Northbrook St

8 On Northbrook St. More food and ethnic

9 Market non-existent. Better in Northbrook St

10 I like the market

11 Market is not bad

12 More cooked food stalls like in artisan markets

13 Workshops in street. Help mental health

14 Market Square for stalls

15 Please re-active / re-juvinate

16 Local products



For the 13% of respondents who wanted more big name outlets:What kind of big name outlet would you like to see?

13% of respondents would like more big name outlets:

• Most popular choice was more big name shops, with 70% of the responses• 8 people suggested Primark• 5 suggest Iceland

• 19% wanted more big names restaurants

• 11% wanted more big name pubs

11



For the 6% respondents who wanted more eVehicle infrastructure:What kind of eVehicle charging infrastructure would you like to see?

6% of respondents would like to see more charging infrastructure:

• Most popular choice was more charging points for electric cars, with 60% of the responses

• 21% wanted more charge points for e-Bikes

• 19% wanted more charge points for e-Scooters

In addition, 7% of total respondents wanted more secure bike storage facilities

12



Detailed comments for ‘Other’ improvements to the town centre – 17% of the NTC in-person sample

13

Other suggestions for improvements1 I like Newbury town

2 I enjoy coming to Newbury

3 Very happy (with the town)

4 Happy with the town

5 Happy (with the town)

6 Happy with town. Kennet Centre run down

7 Pretty happy (with the town)

8 No (change needed) - like it!

9 Primark

10 Primark

11 Primark

12 Could do with Primark

13 Primark and Iceland - good value

14 Primark and Iceland - cost

15 Fill vacant shops. Sort Kennet Centre. Iceland & Primark. Have

16 Primark & Iceland. A graden centre

17 Leisure activities: bowling, pool/snooker

18 Buskers

19 Most of my shopping online now so no need to come into

Newbury. Newbury needs something to attract people in: music,

innovative market stalls20 Happy with town. More activities like Ugly Duckling. Newsagent

21 Market Place outdoor seating and live music

22 Pedestrianise Marlet Place - make a piazza.Fewer hairdressers.

Condense the shopping area: Clocktower to far end of

Batholomew St is too far23 Al fresco dining

24 eScooters are dangerous

25 Ban electric scooters

26 Don't want eScooters

27 Push bikes from McDonalds to bridge - no cycling on

28 (I) fear the cyclists

29 Bikes should not be in town - Northbrook Street. More info

30 No cycling on the pavement

31 I'm a cyclist but I think cycling should be banned in Northbrook St

32 Fewer coffee shops, fewer restaurants

33 Too many shops, nail bars, hairdressers. Need outdoor activities,

more trees and flowers. Bring in music on Saturday. More

benches. Keep town clean & painted. Public hand sanitiser.

Church needs to open up. Retail competition to look aesthetic.34 Fewer coffee shops

35 Over supply of shops. Want safe cycle routes

36 Not just coffee shops and hairdressers. Taxi rank should be in

37 More independent fruit & veg and butchers

38 Speciality food shops: deli, baker, organic

39 Big shops closing - needs cheaper rents

40 More housing = more footfall. No more shops or cafes. More

41 John Lewis loss - was prestigious draw. Same with Paul. Rates

42 Reduce rates (to encourage independents). Scooter / bikes are

43 More ladies shops

44 More restaurants for kids

45 Bigger M&S, maybe to replace John Lewis

46 Indepenedent eco shops: refillables etc.

47 More mens clothes shops

48 More skate(board) and tech shops

49 Wider range of shops eg glluten free needs: go to Reading for

this. Need more publicity / communication on what's available

(in Newbury)

50 More shops under-cover

51 Newbury does things half-heartedly

52 Banks open more

53 Fast charging for cars. Allow empty shops to be used by small

54 Better public transport links

55 The Race meetings help

56 Make use of canal area - like to be near water

57 Respondent was 90 years old and she is allocated a member of

staff to help her in Tescos. She would not get that help (she says)

in an independent shop58 Charging points helps stores

59 John Lewis!

60 Workshops, shared spaces in John Lewis building

61 Free parking helps weekend trade. Needs lots of outside stall

traders. (I'm a café owner - evening trade and footfall worse

since 24 hour)62 More money!

63 Need cameras - bikes nicked

64 Not just cafes and take-aways

65 Open bridge by Camps furniture store to traffic

66 Stopped coming to farmers market because lack of choice



Detailed comments for ‘Other’ improvements to the town centre– 4% of the BID online sample

14

Other suggestions for Improvements1 I would love to see some small independent retailers with focus on food and drink. As well as

restaurants, cafes and pubs would be great to have deli's and other retailers such as coffee roasters

and breweries. Newbury is very nice to look at in the centre and a full ban on vehicles would enable all

these features to come out even more and offer not just locals but those further afield a great

opportunity to have a unique experience. At the moment, let's be honest, it could be any town in the

uk with all the same chains and experiences. I think the town needs to be brave, reduce the size of the

centre and make it a more concentrated area which offers regular events particularly with a focus on

live music. So much potential here and once Covid moves on I feel this type of experience will secure

many new jobs in time.2 More variety of shops and restaurants. Independents ideally. Not crippled by high rent and other

running costs. And more blue badge spots close to town centre so I can take my Mum out.

3 Fresh fruit and veg local produce shop

4 A greengrocer!

5 It's time to focus on smaller, independent businesses of all kinds. Make Newbury a more unique place

to visit. Whenever you go anywhere these days it's the same big names everywhere, might as well stay

home. Newbury can be different and attract people to visit from elsewhere. Also make it eco friendly

with plenty of charging zones and discounted parking for electric vehicles.

6 More enticing shops within the Kennet Center area to draw shoppers throughout the entire town

7 Bring back free half hour parking in Northbrook st , we used to pop in the shops all the time then

8 If free parking for an hour or two can't be offered then the charges need to be lowered, you don't mind

paying more if we had more shops and facilities

9 Free parking for any period of time permanently. The charges are extortionate.

10 Scrap parking fees. That's your only hope.

11 Cheaper parking overall, WBC killing the high street by overcharging

12 I come into Newbury for the market, I bring the car as my bags are too heavy to walk home. So free

parking for an hour would be amazing. Otherwise we walk into town.

13 Cheaper parking & nicer shops

14 More entertainment venues for different age groups, for example, Soft Play, Clip & Climb adventure

course, Bowling, Trampoline Park etc. Would be good to make Kennet Centre entertainment

destination with restaurants & cafes to, and make Parkway & Northbrook street Shopping destination

15 John Lewis and more activities like the table tennis place

16 Live music, arts, entertainment. I don't regard shopping as leisure.

17 A regular programme of outdoor performances and events, as these always bring a buzz to the town.

18 Making the marketplace a pedestrian area, so that restaurants and pubs can fully use the space.

19 Pedestrianised permanently

20 Safer cycling

21 Cycle lanes

22 Cheaper busses

23 I go to a town to shop, there was enough restaurant and bars, but now most have closed due to COVID

24 Fight to keep John Lewis, We need s decent electrical, lighting store.

25 Social distancing being enforced in the street and in shops.

26 I have increasingly done my weekly food shop online with a top up in store during the week. During

Covid I stopped doing a mid week top up and started using online shopping for other items I needed.

The cost of parking has never been an issue. I dont believe offering 2 hours of free parking with

stimulate people going into town more.27 Stop filling the town centre with residential units!

28 Ride share rental scooters

29 More car parks & wider bays



Has the current temporary 24/7 vehicle ban from the town centre made any difference to your experience of getting here and of shopping / eating / drinking?

When compared to the original 10am to 5pm vehicle ban:

• 43% of respondents said the 24 hour vehicle ban had made no difference

• 31% said it was better

• 26% said it was worse

15



Has the current temporary 24/7 vehicle ban from the town centre made any difference to your experience of getting here and of shopping / eating / drinking?- NTC in-person sample

16

Comments for those who think 24 hour evhicle ban is worse1 Concern about traffic on A339

2 Too difficult for traffic

3 Needing to use A339. Helps trade

4 Traffic flow. Taxi fares higher

5 Only one way round Newbury

6 Because can't use Northbrook St can't access gym so easily. (Kings Rd very busy now)

7 Detour to get to class

8 Inconvenient

9 Only 1 (river) crossing point gets too busy, means more driving pollution

10 Dangerous - deliveries still happening

11 No need for 24 hours

12 Evening no people. Traffic flow very difficult with road shut

13 Bit disheartened. It's not a bike racetrack

Comments for those who think 24 hour evhicle ban is better1 "Nicer"

2 Relaxed, more café culture

3 More relaxing without watching out for cars

4 Safer for childern - don't have to keep a look-out for them

5 Easier to walk

6 No worries (while walking), but longer car trips

7 No worries - no need to watch out for cars

8 No worries - safer

9 Safer

10 Safer, especially with kids

11 Nice having no cars

12 More space. Not afraid to walk in road. Massive difference

13 No issue with (worrying about) cars before 10

14 No worrying - safer

15 No dodging the cars

16 Makes it safer

17 No traffic

18 Easy and safe for people

19 No confusion

20 Less worry. As we're deaf we can't hear cars, bikes or scooters

21 No worries (about traffic)

22 More relaxed atmosphere - more outdoor seating

23 Evenings

24 Bikes as dangerous as cars

25 But cyclists a nuisance

26 Get rid of bikes

27 Better for me. But for charity shops?

28 More bike parking security

29 But longer journeys

30 Cycle

31 Lunchtime better. But not evening - worse

32 Allow residents across bridge by Parkway using a tag



Has the current temporary 24/7 vehicle ban from the town centre made any difference to your experience of getting here and of shopping / eating / drinking?- BID online sample

17

Comments for those who think 24 hour vehicle ban is better1 Safety

2 Safer as less fast cars driving, more space for cyclist and pedestrians

3 Don't have to worry about being run over.

4 Shop safely avoiding other people and cars

5 Not having to be so aware

6 safer as a pedestrian

7 Not having cars has made walking through Newbury feel like a cleaner & safer place and adds to the

appeal of the market/highstreet during the evening. HOWEVER - the policing of cars has been god awful -

cars still come through and even drive up the wrong way. There needs to be tracking and penalty for this.

8 Better for the environment, and much safer. Really liking the ban, as a driver it hasn't affected anything

9 Safer when the shops are open. Always felt dangerous when people when crossing to shops with traffic.

Don't care about 24/7.

10 Easier to cross road, however some people have still been driving theoighy

11 Safer, quieter and a nicer feel to the area

12 Hearing impaired, so feels safer

13 It feels safer walking through town and sitting outside pubs in the evenings with no cars around.

14 More relaxed atmosphere to Northbrook Street & Market Place1

15 more space for people, calmer environment and so much better for the atmosphere

16 No need for cars in the town centre and makes more pleasant environment for drinking/eating/shopping

17 Easier to walk around at night

18 It's just more pleasant to walk around a town centre without traffic.

19 It is a more pleasant experience to shop in a pedestrianised area.

20 Better cause you can walk more

21 I walk everywhere so it’s great not having the traffic at busy times

22 Makes Newbury more of an destination to spend more outdoor time in

23 You can take a relaxed stroll around the whole town and take time to enjoy it.

24 It's slightly better from town experience point of view but would be great if could securely cordon off the

whole area and bring full markets and dining experiences outdoors.

25 I’ve walked around the town in the evenings and it has been a much nice experience. If pubs/restaurants

had pleasant outside seating areas then I’d more likely choose to go there. Unfortunately only The

Hatchet Inn and The Elephant seem to be using this extra space at the moment. I hope others will and it

can generate a pleasant evening al fresco experience.

26 Safety and room for outside eating and drinking

27 Expands traffic-free walking options and makes outdoor seating a more pleasant experience.

28 Like the fact cafes and restaurants can have outdoor seating

29 It should also include bicycles. They are dangerous for pedestrians.

30 Would be better if we went shopping, will not until it is safe to do so.

31 I'm a cyclist and I like the total lack of traffic

32 Social distancing easier. It's better in the evenings too as makes everything more accessible


Making Newbury a town we can all be proud ofHas the current temporary 24/7 vehicle ban from the town centre made any difference to your experience of getting here and of shopping / eating / drinking?- BID online sample

18

Comments for those who think 24 hour vehicle ban is worse1 More traffic on the ringroad

2 My journey time to work is longer

3 More difficult travelling around town area

4 It made it easier to get across town if wanting to access the supermarkets on the north side of town

after a shopping trip in the evening. When working it used to make it easy to pop to town after work

then onto a supermarket.

5 More restricted movement around the town and having to drive all around the houses to get through

6 Having to go around past Victoria park adds 10 mins on to my journey. If the town centre is closed 24/7

can the wharf bridge be opened?

7

Having to drive round the Robin Hood roundabout and down the bypass which is invariably gridlocked to

get to the other end of town using more fuel, creating more pollution and usually taking twice as long to

get there.

8 Access

9 I have family the other end of town, and normally use the high street in the mornings and evenings to

avoid non Newbury traffic

10 Getting from one end of town to another takes so much longer

11 I live ar the top of town and work at the bottom I used to rely on cutting through town. Saved time now

my journey to and from work is doubled. I am unable to walk due to disability.

12

Takes ages to go around the town centre. Would be so much better to allow traffic through the town as

before. If you wanna protect people's lives then make it a 20mph zone. No need to divert traffic miles

around.

13 I now drive to waitrose using a34 rather than through town.

14 Only one road to get to other side of town

15 There is only one route now out of hours to get across railway line and canal... stupid bottle neck all the

16 It was fine before and once we are back to ‘normal’ traffic come schools return in sept etc. My work

journey will be extended by probably nearly 20-30mins

17 Having to travel right round town to get from one end of the high street is frustrating when keeping

appointments am.

18 Can't drive through

19

It forces cars to use the stupid new route down past the station and back up to the cinema to get to

Bartholomew street. Anyone who lives north Newbury it’s made getting to town he’ll. it’s bad enough

dealing with the robin hood, now we have to go back on ourselves to get to any parking on our side of

town.

20 More traffic on ring road. Restricting my access to get to north side of Newbury

21 Difficult to get from one end of town to other off peak

22 Traffic will only get worse in rush hour when people return to offices

23 Need a big dirversion if at the top end of town

24 Takes longer to get to Waitrose

25 Has restricted access for shop deliveries and stopped early customers to the shops.

26 It’s worse as cannot drop off or pick up the elderly or infirm.

27 Also any disabled driver who finds walking difficult not being able to park nearer the shops

28 The town is baron early in the morning and traders are losing early sales

29 Not being able to access Northbrook street by car has meant I no longer use it.

30 We can’t just pop down and get close like we used to after 5pm

31 I cannot drop items off at charity shops

32 Ability to conveniently park near shops pre 10am is useful. Evening access difficult if only via single

route. Needs option to reopen if traffic issues elsewhere

33 Working in retail we've had many customers who like to visit early or towards the end of day that no find

it difficult, the town is dieing this doesn't help it

34 Cannot get in ..should have left as before

35 Can’t just pop into Griffins quickly in the morning

36 Less potential to pull up and shop

37 Difficult to get in town

38

Not being able to get to the corn exchange where im usually dropped off. Its a needless ban. Out of

main shopping hours traffic is no problem. The bigger issue by far is cycles tearing through the pedestrian

areas

39 Worse parking is way too expensive

40 I don’t enjoy having to go down the a339 on a moped in the evening to get to the other end of town

41 I walk, and the number of cars/vans that ignore the ban and drive fast down a supposedly pedestrian

area is dangerous

42 Unconventional

43 It put me off to go there

44 Can’t just pop in briefly on my way to somewhere else so have to plan a special journey. In which case I

might not bother.

45 More convenient to drop off people to go in the shops instead of getting caught and adding to rush hour

traffic on the A339

46 False sense of security: No traffic so you make use of the extra space until a cyclist nearly runs you over.

A traffic ban should also include cyclists.

47 Not made any direct impact to me other than traffic more on outskirts of town. Although I am aware

what an impact it has had on some business’s.

48 Some shops are experiencing difficulties with this

49 It was already pedestrianised at the times needed, now it is more difficult for cars and taxes to get across

town in the evening. However - if more restaurants and bars are allowed outdoor space later, then I

agree it is a good step.

50 There are times when it just isn’t practical to walk to town and I don’t want to walk into town at night



When the current temporary 24/7 vehicle ban ends at end August / early September, what would you like to happen?

• 45% said they would like to revert to the original 10am to 5pm vehicle ban• 34% of NTC in-person respondents, who use the

town centre more often• 52% of BID online sample

• 38% of respondents said they would like the 24 hour vehicle ban to continue after 31st

August• 49% of NTC in-person respondents• 30% of BID online sample

• 13% said they would like vehicles to be allowed for some of the day, but a reduced number of hours compared to the original 5pm to 10am

• 2% said they would like vehicles to be allowed for some of the day, but an increased number of hours compared to the original 5pm to 10am

• 3% had no preference

19



When the current temporary 24/7 vehicle ban ends at end August / early September, what would you like to happen?- NTC in-person sample

20

Why keep 24 hour vehicle restrictions1 More relaxing without watching out for cars

2 Freedom of movement

3 Easier to walk around

4 Because more relaxing

5 No worries - safer

6 Freedom of movement, safer for kids

7 Nice having no traffic on Northbrook St

8 Nicer - safer

9 Don't have to watch out for cars

10 Safer

11 Relaxed feel

12 Relaxed, more café culture

13 Vibrant town centre. Market Place too - piazza with outdoor eating

14 Nicer on High St and can use outdoor space for seating

15 More space, get cafes outside

16 Love it with no cars

17 Could (then) use space better

18 Use the space so somewhere nice to sit outside - vibe

19 Allows freedom for people

20 We can have more stalls and cafes can spread out onto pavement

21 Makes town centre more pleasant

22 Much nicer

23 Opportunity to use outside space

24 Do need to consider delivery vehicles and disabled

25 Pleasant. Need to be open for loading / unloading deliveries

26 But allow taxis to drop off elderly and disabled

27 See how busy A339 gets

28 So much nicer to have space. But need it to work for cars too

29 Evening economy

30 A great opportunity to implement change

31 My (disability) scooter

32 Doesn't impact me

33 To encourage active transport and also better public transport

34 Easier to get around town

35 Cycling safer, get more seating outdoors

36 Horrible walking in pm & traffic

37 To avoid a pinch point on the bridge by Lloyds Bank re 2m distamnce

38 If still need social distancing

Why revert to 10am to 5pm vehicle restrictions1 Eases traffic elsewhere

2 Did work. Helps A339

3 Much better to drive through

4 Inconvenient for the cars

5 Need more than 1 (river) crossing. Traffic through Wharf St so keep rest of Market Place (traffic) free

6 Flow of traffic. Another bridge would help!

7 Worked OK

8 A nice shortcut for cars. Can park for free in evening on Northbrook St

9 Because can't use Northbrook St can't access gym so easily. (Kings Rd very busy now

10 Best option - helps all

11 Helps deleivery drivers drop stuff off at stores in morning

12 Help business - Griffins

13 No opinion on morning but need at 5pm

14 Maybe longer closure in summer and for markets

15 But add 24 hours in Market Place. Make clear distinction between raod and pavement

16 Go down Wharf St so Market Place can be traffic free

17 Disabled and deliveries before 10am

18 Hardly anyone around before 10

19 Would (otherwise) struggle to park the car for work

Why have extended vehicle restrictions but not 24 hour1 10am-8pm - allow for rush hour

2 To 9am - commute has finished

3 Close in the evenings

4 If you're out later people speed

5 9am to 8pm

6 Give it a year

Why have reduced vehicle restrictions vs original 10-51 One way over Parkway to avoid A339

2 Not reduce



When the current temporary 24/7 vehicle ban ends at end August / early September, what would you like to happen?- BID online sample

21

Comments from those who think 24 hour vehicle ban is better1 Market square as an eating destination would be much better

2 Keep the existing 24/7 ban in place and allow restaurants to setup on the road.

3 Would like to see more of the market Square for eating/ drinking

4 Allow restaurant and pubs more seating

5 I think encouraging the night time economy and al fresco dining could be of great benefit to Newbury.

6 Keep 24/7 ban - it would be nice to see more independent bars/cafes being able to utilise the space for

outdoor seating - the market square currently has a lovely continental feel and it would be nice if this remained

unmarred by Corsa's blaring music zooming through the market in the evening.

7 More space to walk and hopefully more cafes, pubs extending outside area

8 Start earlier in the morning i.e. 9.30, make the market place pedestrian all weekend

9 More pleasant

10 It's better for shoppers

11 The air will be cleaner and the streets safer.

12 More room to move about

13 Town centre should be for pedestrians and cyclists (aside from emergency vehicles)

14 Again it's just more pleasant without cars.

15 Feels safer, more community focussed

16 Better for families and the elderly, less stressful

17 Safer

18 Safer and easier to walk in the high street

19 Also include bicycles

20 Allows more space may encourage more cyclist if there was a designated cycle lane.

21 Ideally I’d love it to be 24/7. I’d be slightly concerned about what would happen on the A339 at rush hour.

Therefore I’d be okay with traffic through say 5-7pm only. But if 24/7 pedestrianisation can be done without

gridlock on the A339 I’d be all for it.

22 It makes no difference to me really.

23 Only emergency services access is really needed through the town

24 Maybe no vehicles 1000 - 2200

25 We'll still be living with Covid in September.




22

Comments from those who think 24 hour vehicle ban is worse1 There are few routes across the canal in Newbury and taking one away will cause traffic problems elsewhere.

2 I think the previous system worked ok, it helped the flow of rush hour traffic and made it safer for two

wheelers, if the current system has to stay in place then please allow mopeds/motorcycles across parkway

bridge

3 It saves a lot of time, miles and petrol to drive through town instead of going all the way around and get stuck

in traffic

4 I need to be able to get west regularly, so have to keep going all the way round via the A339. It’s bonkers, and -

ironically given your laudable aims - creates more, slower traffic just up the road...

5 As I said, ideal for local traffic, especially if A34/M4 is having issues

6 To help with rush hour traffic

7 When Northbrook St has previously been closed on a week night due to events in Market Place, the traffic

trying to get from one side of Newbury to the other is horrendous with all approach roads at a standstill. What

should be a 5-10 minute journey can end up tahing over an hour. Not good for stress or pollution levels.

8 Eases traffic problems

9 Especially more people going back to work and school traffic is going to be a nightmare

10 Live on south side,,, work on North... travel is much easier and avoids huge bottleneck on 339 route.

11 Still useful to be able to drive and taxi across town sometimes, but I like the restaurants and bars utilising

outdoor spacd

12 My Daughter lives to the north of the town and being able to drive through the town centre early morning and

after work meant I didn’t need to get stuck in the inevitable traffic on the ring road

13 No one is in the town after 6 and it is important to have access in the car .. to get from one side of Northbrook

street to the other..

14 Cars carry customers. Otherwise the cars will carry the customers to retail parks

15 It worked well and struck the right balance for if you wanted to nip to several places. Also helpful if you wanted

to be picked up or dropped off in an evening for a meal or show

16 It worked. If I needed to pop to the bank or do a quick job rather than spend a few hours in town I was able to

drive through quickly and be in and out of gown before it got busy. Also on my way home from work or seeing

friends and family at 6pm+ I was able to go straight home rather than be forced into a bottle neck of traffic and

add more distance to my journey which also encourages me to order take out to collect less because I can’t get

through town to collect it.

17 Maybe 9.30-6 pm, will allow drop off & pick up from restaurants/ theatre

18 It would give a balanced solution for pedestrians and business’s. Allow people to access shops particularly

disabled and elderly first thing. Taxi’s will be able to drop off and pick up in evening.

19 Some pedestrian only hours are good for public safety but some access within designated times should be

allowable for pick ups and drop offs.

20 Would allow all parties the facilities they need. Corn Exchange access through the Market Place needs to be

considered as well, their restricted mobility users need to be dropped at the front door.

21 It’s pointless after the shops have shut

22 Safety during main shopping hours

23 Keep the ban, but police it better to stop vans speeding down a closed road

24 Newbury, as a pedestrianised town does not work.

25 It was much better before

26 I want to be able to drop off or collect deliveries in the town centre

27 The retail side of the town is struggling, we managed in Newbury years ago when traffic came through all day

long

28 Extend hours of no cars in the evening so people can social distance

29 Allows easy access to the town whilst footfall is quiet

30 Go back to how it used to be. Keep the road small and the paving wide. If you want people to shop, stop letting

charities ask people for money in the streets. If they want to help, they will find you.

31 As above, vehicles drive far more safely in the town than pushbikes. They are a nuisance.




23

Comments from those who think 24 hour vehicle ban made no difference1 Having commuted to reading for many years, Northbrook St being open helped avoid queues elsewhere or go

drop off people with limited availability in town. You need more north/south roads before closing Northbrook

St.

2 As nice as it would be for the pedestrianisation to be permanent, the traffic in Newbury is so bad, the road

really does need to be open to help ease congestion.

3 As we get back to normality the early and later parts of the day will ease congestion in the town

4 It helps with rush hour traffic

5 if you live North of Newbury, it takes longer to access the car parks by the wharf/Kennet Centre, as you have to

get accross the Robin Hood and Police Station roundabouts first and during busy times this can take over half

an hour. This is also the only route for accessing West Mills and West Fields with 24 hour pedestrianisation.

Previously in the evenings and later it was much quicker to go through town, and there are hardly any

pedestrians in town then anyway

6 Once normal traffic levels return the old system helped to alleviate some of the congestion

7 When I used to live in Newbury I relied on the opening of the town centre to get home on time. It is not that

busy after the evening commute home.

8 There needs to be more than one route over the river. Closing town means more trouble for A339

9 driving through town in the evening is very convenient for my house which is at at johns roundabout -

otherwise it means going all the way out from town and round robin hood roundabout and down the dial

carrigeways

10 The towns traffic will be forced onto the A339 at peak times. Currently traffic has been reduced so it's not so

bad, but as people start returning to schools and work it makes no sense to reduce the ability to move from

North to South etc.

11 Keep it closed but have more cafes, bars and restaurants so they expand into the marketplace

12 It would be good if you could block cars during evening from market square. Check out Crediton, they've

created a fantastic market square being safely well used by many. It's brilliant.

13 It means that the market square can be used for al fresco dining etc

14 Keep it pedestrianised in the market square. Make it a social complex as many European destinations do in

partnership with the Corn Exchange.

15 I think it would make life very difficult for existing shops to receive their deliveries if there is to be no traffic at

all. Plus it is a lot easier to get to the other side of town and to NorthCroft from south side in the evening if I

can drive through town in the evening. 10-5 is fine

16 Go back to pedestrianised between 10 and 5 so the poor ship owners can easily have deliveries and the link

Road is not crammed with everyone forced onto one road to get through Newbury.

17 It gives options for delivery of goods to the shops

18 Have found cars in town when leaving the Corn Exchange, which seems unnecessary.

19 Newbury needs to entice people into town with better parking, more independent stores ( it’s too small for

sufficient high street stores - people go to Reading and Basingstoke for those) more independent

shops/restaurants etc makes it an interesting town people will come to from outside

20 It worked perfectly well why change it

21 Encourage more activity in town centre

22 Makes it safe and pleasant to walk, socially distance and queue

23 10am is a silly start time - might as well make it 9 when the shops open and 6pm once they’re all closed

24 Banning cars when they are an integral part of daily life achieves nothing except alienating those that drive a

car

25 Extended pedestrian time and gradually fade into fully pedestrian area with stalls in the high street on a regular

basis .

26 Don’t think it is necessary to be pedestrian, takes away business from town , and there is perfectly good

pavements

27 No cars 9:30-5:30 would be better

28 safety of pedestrians

29 I think it is the right balance

30 Before 8:00 am it makes not difference and after 7:00 pm. It’s just annoying to drive an extra 5 minutes.

31 Extended hours could allow restaurants, bars and cafes to have extended on street service in the evenings

32 It was fine as it was

33 Newbury traffic will be hideous without the town open which will then discourage people from visiting

34 Have pedestrian hours 9-6 rather than 10-5

35 No need for social distancing after 5 as most shops close so footfall is lower.

36 Extend hours - thought would see more of outside space being used by cafes and restaurants and not happened

as licences not granted. Extend pedestrian hours at weekends.

37 It worked well and gives businesses time for deliveries etc

38 It's a good idea however many cars and delivery drivers just drive in so a specific time ban better



Appendix

24



Appendix 1Questionnaire – Part 1

25

Newbury Shopper Survey carried out by Newbury Town Councillors

1 How far away do you live from Newbury? < 3 miles 3-5 miles 5-10 miles > 10 miles

2 Do you work in Newbury? Yes No

3 How did you get here today?

Walk

Cycle / scooter

Public transport

Type

4 How many times a month do you come to Newbury How does this compare with pre-Covid?

< 1 / month 1-3 / month Weekly More often Less often About same More often

To shop

To eat

To drink

For leisure: gym, cinema, etc

What would encourage you to walk / cycle / scoot?

What would encourage you to use public transport, or walk / cycle / scoot?

Where did you park?

Car / Moped / motorbike




26

5 What changes to the town centre would encourage you visit more often to shop?

Tick all that

apply

3 most

important

Shops

Restaurants

Cafes

Pubs

Shops

Restaurants

Pubs

Secure racking for bikes / scooters

electric cars

eBikes

eScooters

Other - please explain

More independents:

More big names

Changes to the markets

Cheaper parking

More charge points for

A wider selection of market stalls on Thursdays and Saturdays

More regular Farmers' / artisan markets on Sundays

A covered market area to protect from the weather

Free first 2 hours

Free first hour

Freeevening / Sunday parking




27

6

Tick

No

It's better

It's worse

7 When the current temporary 24/7 vehicle ban ends at end August / early September, what would you like to happen?

Tick

How?

How?

Has the current temporary 24/7 vehicle ban from the town centre made any difference to your experience of getting here and of shopping / eating / drinking?

Reduced hours of no vehicles and more car access to

town centre vs pre-Covid

Go back to previous situation: closed to vehicles

from 10am to 5pm

Extended hours of no vehicles and reduced car

access to town centre vs pre-Covid

Why?

Keep with the 24/7 vehicle ban in the town centre

that we have right now

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