THE rotunda area of Westbury is on course to undergo extensive redevelopment later this year after funds for the work were allocated by Wiltshire Council.
The unitary council has prepared its budget for 2010’s financial year and has earmarked £100,000 for the work, which will see the rotunda on the junction of the High Street and Edward Street, make way for a more open and accessible design.
It is hoped that the removal of the rotunda will encourage greater pedestrian traffic between the High Street, Edward Street and Maristow Street. No start date has yet been set for the commencement of the works. The £100,000 is expected to cover the entire cost of the project, from design to completion.
The plans follow a public consultation from Wiltshire Council in which it asked for views from Westbury residents and traders on concept designs for redeveloping the rotunda area.
A public exhibition was held at Westbury Library in July last year to get feedback on three concept designs for redeveloping the rotunda area, and for works to improve Maristow Street.
The three options were graded on cost, with higher cost options involving more dramatic changes to the two areas. Traders in the High Street, Maristow Street and Edward Street were also approached for their opinions on the various options.
Public feedback on the rotunda was that it was too large and an eyesore. Sixty-eight per cent of the 155 respondents favoured the plan to remove the rotunda completely, opening up the area and creating a footway lined with trees and seating.
David Bullock, highway improvements manager at Wiltshire Council said, “The new design is in a key location for the town and should make the area a much more attractive place for businesses, and for people to visit.
“The design is intended to encourage businesses and shoppers, and the project is very, very important to Westbury.”
The plans have received the support of Westbury Mayor cllr Sue Ezra, who said, “I think they are exactly what will be good for the town.
“Removing the rotunda will be a good idea as it blocks off the end of the High Street.”
The project can be seen as the second stage of a three part project to renovate Westbury town centre. The first stage, in the Market Place was completed last year. The final stage, following work on the rotunda area would link all three by redeveloping Maristow Street.
The public verdict on Maristow Street was that it is too narrow for both cars and pedestrians, with inadequate parking.
Sixty-six per cent of respondents preferred a design concept which would create a shared surface for both motor vehicles and pedestrians, as well as some designated parking areas. The existing footway would also be widened to improve pedestrian access. However any work on Maristow Street would not be budgeted for until 2011 at the earliest.
