Divided opinions on town's pedestrian trial

A trial town-centre pedestrianisation scheme has divided opinions among traders.

Parts of Newbury in Berkshire have been closed to traffic between 10:00 BST and 23:00 for almost a year.

The trial has been described as having "positive effect" by some businesses while others have said it has made trade "quite difficult". A decision on its long-term future is due in the spring.

Stuart Gourley, executive member for the environment and highways at West Berkshire Council, said it was discussing collected information before making the decision on whether to extend it.

The trial, running since May 2025, covers Northbrook Street, Bridge Street, Bartholomew Street (north), Mansion House Street, Wharf Street and Market Place.

Brandon Elliott, supervisor at The Ugly Duckling pottery shop in Bartholomew Street, said the trial had interrupted deliveries, with lorries no longer able to park at a layby outside the shop.

"We're finding that stuff is delayed by about three or four days quite often - most of the time because lorry drivers try and go the long way round not realising where they can park up," he said.

He added that they had seen "some benefit" when they host evening sessions, when "there's not as much noise from the road coming by".

Maria Kerry from The Globe Inn, said the pub had experienced "a really positive effect" with increased footfall.

"Normally, we would expect January and February to be absolutely horrific, worst months of the trading year," Kerry said.

But Sam Vine from Griffins Family Butchers in Bridge Street said he did not think "it makes for a pleasant environment".

"On top of that, you've got the car issues. This road acts like a relief road, so the traffic just makes it even worse on the Link Road," he added.

A leaked report from 15 December, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, notes concerns such as increased traffic, the impact on trade, "widespread" fears over safety after dark and the possible exclusion of disabled and elderly visitors to the town.

Of 3,120 responses to a public consultation, 76.8% objected, the report said.

Positive feedback amounted to 19.3%, with supporters praising "ambiance" in the town and "cleaner air".

Conservative opposition leader Ross Mackinnon said: "It's not working. We've seen traffic congestion get far, far worse and footfall's gone down, rather than up.

"You've got no economic [or] environmental benefit and residents and others have been saying this for a long time."

But Lib Dem executive portfolio holder for community engagement, Justin Pemberton, disagreed, adding that there was "always going to be a 'bedding-in' effect".

"We are seeing people spend more time in the town centre we are seeing some of those retailers benefitting from the fact that there are fewer cars passing through that area," he said.

Lib Dem Gourley said that the council would use the internal report "to discuss this information with stakeholders such as the Business Improvement District (BID), BID members and Newbury Town Council so we can make an informed longer-term decision which we will be making by the end of the spring".

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