PLANS are afoot to pedestrianize Parade in Leamington.
The Parade Masterplan seeks to transform the pivotal town centre street into a traffic-free space to give Leamington a major economic and cultural boost.
The proposal has been drawn up by the Leamington Transformation Board, made up of representatives from Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council, and Leamington Town Council.
They are now urging residents, businesses and visitors to give their views during an eight-week engagement exercise running until Monday July 28.
Part of the masterplan includes exploring options to remove vehicular traffic from Parade, with the aim of increasing the number of people using the space and the time they spend there.
Buses that currently stop at the top of Parade would be re-routed to convenient alternative stops nearby, while delivery vehicles would be permitted limited access during times of lower footfall. Emergency vehicles would still be able to access the road.
A new town square next to the Town Hall would be created, providing an inviting new space for community events, markets, and performances.
Parade would be enhanced by the addition of new trees, planting, seating and cycle infrastructure, with accessibility at the forefront of its design.
Mark Lee, independent chair of the Leamington Transformation Board, said: “We believe that there is huge potential to transform Parade into an incredible space for Leamington’s residents, visitors, and businesses, helping the town’s historic high street to be better than ever before.
“We envisage a whole area coming to life with hospitality venues spilling into the newly created space and families able to enjoy the vibrancy of the town, knowing their children can play safely nearby.
“Many independent studies have shown that giving priority to pedestrians in key areas of town and city centres improves economic and health outcomes – but we know that it needs to be done in the right way with the views of all affected considered.
“We want to ensure Parade becomes the centre of a vibrant and economically successful town, in an age when high streets are going through fundamental change and, in many cases, decline. The sole aim is to improve the town centre for the good of local people, businesses, visitors and the environment.
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ask to complete the survey.
