Newbury Town Centre Pedestrianisation Trial - frequently asked questions

What is a traffic regulation order?

A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is a legal document that must be made by the local authority under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 in order to regulate or restrict the public highway in any way.

A Traffic Regulation Order can restrict the use of the public highway in many ways, either permanently, experimentally or temporarily. The most common ways are:

• closing the road
• speed restrictions
• weight/width/height restrictions
• prohibiting certain movements
• restricting parking in some way

There are strict procedures that we must follow in order to make a temporary, permanent or experimental Traffic Regulation Order. You can find more in formation here.

When will the trial start?

The trial will start on Monday, 19 May 2025.

Which roads are affected?

Northbrook Street, Bridge Street, Bartholomew Street (north), Mansion House Street, Wharf Street and Market Place are roads within Newbury Town Centre will be affected. These roads are currently subject to a time-limited restriction that prohibits access to motor vehicles between the hours of 10am and 5pm daily.

How long will the trial last?

The trial will last for a minimum of six months. The trial period will afford an excellent opportunity to monitor the impact which can inform the decision-making going forward. Following the initial six-month trial, a decision will be made on whether to make the order permanent.

How do I respond to the formal consultation?

You can take tell us about your experiences in the following ways:

• complete an online survey (link to be confirmed)
• complete and return a paper survey (details of who to contact/where to pick up a paper copy to be confirmed)
• submit your comments by email to the Traffic and Road Safety Team at trafficandroadsafety@westberks.gov.uk 
• write to the Traffic and Road Safety Team, Environment, West Berkshire District Council, Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5LD

Why is the council doing this?

Extending the pedestrianised timings will have several benefits for the town centre:

• improved conditions for walking and cycling through the town centre in the evenings, thus creating a safer environment and encouraging more sustainable transport
• removing the traffic in the evenings will have significant benefits for the hospitality trade, improving the ambiance for alfresco style dining and encouraging cafes and restaurants to 'spill-out' onto the public highway
• the potential to draw in additional custom and increase evening trade
• provision of flexibility for evening events in the town centre (subject to appropriate licences and permissions)

This also aligns with the Newbury Town Centre masterplan which identifies a clear need to reduce the amount of traffic using the town centre roads to create a more attractive environment for alfresco dining and community events.

Why is the council doing this when the majority of consultation responses were against it?

It is important to stress that the extension to pedestrianisation is a trial, with a more substantive, statutory, and longer-lasting, six-month consultation to ensure we capture residents lived experiences to ensure that a reasoned and balanced decision is made following this trial.

It is considered that there is significant enough support to conduct the trial, and more substantive consultation as part of this.

Will this make traffic congestion worse on other roads?

Extending the pedestrian timing will inevitably have an impact on the surrounding road network, albeit this would be limited due to the existing pedestrianised hours. The main impact will be in the evening peak after 5pm, where there will be an increase in traffic at the A339/Robinhood Roundabouts, along the A339 and at the A339 Bear Lane junction. We will monitor traffic flows at these junctions and adjust signal timings if necessary.

I am disabled and can currently get dropped off in Market Place in the evenings. What should I do now? 

Unfortunately, it will not be possible to access the Market Place using motorised vehicles in the evening. The extended hours of pedestrianisation be under the same access restrictions as those between 10am and 5pm, i.e. that no access be allowed (except for emergency services), which would be enforced by use of a physical barrier (the rising bollards). The new pedestrianised timings would be 10am to 11pm with non-critical deliveries and access allowed outside of these times.

Wharf Street and Northbrook Street drop-off.

Will taxis be able to drop me in the town centre during the extended pedestrianised times

No, no motorised vehicles other than emergency services will be allowed to enter the town centre.

Will electric bike delivery drivers be allowed access?

Provided the bike is not classed as a motorised vehicle, it will be allowed access.

Will the town centre be opened if there is congestion on the A339 or if the A34 is closed?

No, for safety reasons.

What is the rationale for keeping the town centre closed until 11pm, the shops close at 6pm?

The proposal will significantly improve the town centre environment in the evenings and will benefit pubs, cafes and restaurants.

Why not open up the bridge across the canal at Parkway to help with traffic flow?

Parkway bridge forms part of an important sustainable transport route. Opening up the bridge to all traffic would cause congestion and queuing to the north at the junction of Park Way and London Road and to the south where Wharf Street joins Bear Lane. This would significantly impact public transport accessing the bus station in the wharf.

What happens if emergency services need to access the town centre when it is closed?

Exemptions to the restriction will be in place for critical access, such as emergency services, as it is during the day, where exemptions also exist for postal vehicles, authorised maintenance of the Highway, or cash deliveries to banks.

I would like to know exactly who is responsible for the decision and on what grounds? 

The Council's Executive approved the extension to the pedestrianised timings on 14 December 2025. This approval was subject to consent from the Secretary of State for Transport which was gained earlier this year.

When will businesses that need deliveries be able to gain access?

Deliveries can be made outside of the pedestrianised times between 11pm and 10am.