Anger over Thornbury High Street plans

The High Street has been closed to traffic for nearly three years, after it was first closed by South Gloucestershire Council during the pandemic. 

Its £4.6 million project which was revealed by SGC last month includes reducing through-traffic, removing parking bays, widening pathways, increasing cycle parking, improving seating and building new planters. 

The works - which are due to start on Monday, March 20 - have been described as ‘dangerous’, ‘expensive’ and ‘disruptive’ by community leaders and business owners. 

They also claim that the council has not been transparent enough.

But SGC say their plans will boost the town and help ‘overcome threats’ facing many local shopping areas.

Previously in May last year 72 per cent of Thornbury residents voted against the move in a vote in the town - although the turnout of that vote was only about 24 per cent.

Thornbury High Street on a market day before the road closure (Image: South Gloucestershire Council)

Zoe Gilbraith Secretary of Thornbury Chamber of Commerce said they are still ‘perplexed’ by SGC’s plans for the high street. 

She said: “The Chamber together with other businesses and loyal customers who supported our high street, are still perplexed by the decision made by South Gloucestershire Council to change our once thriving high street, which was the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of this authority.

“We hope that other authorities around the country will learn from the mistakes made here, of the total lack of understanding by certain bodies of the community they serve, not to mention the ongoing waste of funds from various sources.    

“However, we appreciate the need to move forward and look to SGC implementing and facilitating its ethos in a democratic and timely manner together with ongoing levels of sustainability and maintenance.”

The Chamber also criticised the lack of notice given for the Rock Street car park changes which will overlap with the Thornbury High Street changes. 

Meanwhile John Reynolds from Thornbury Town and District Residents Association said: “Looking at the final layout plans for the High Street, it is evident that SGC has continued to fail to respond to the wishes of the townspeople. 

How Thornbury High Street could look like after works are complete (Image: South Gloucestershire Council)

“Since SGC never researched in detail the economy and traffic in the centre of Thornbury before closing the High Street to through traffic, it cannot claim that the changes, which have been in place for nearly three years, have made any improvement to the town’s trading economy or traffic flow.  

“Anyone can see that the claims about more shoppers, walkers and cyclists are incorrect.

“The Investment Plan claims to have shaped and developed the plans after working with individuals and groups, but has clearly not delivered in an open and transparent way.  

“There has been no publication of minutes of meetings with action points and timescales for responses and agreements to change, only SGC’s continuing and mistaken belief that it knows what is best for Thornbury, when none of its ruling Cabinet lives in or represents our town.”

On behalf of the TTDRA, John also criticises the lack of on-street parking, the lack of a segregated cycle lane for bicycles travelling north, the continuation of one-way traffic, and the lack of roadside guttering.

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: “We have now published the final designs for improvements to Thornbury High Street which have been shaped by the feedback gathered through consultation, engagement and direct communication with businesses, residents, organisations, and other stakeholders.

“We thank everyone who has engaged constructively throughout the process and helped to shape the final designs. 

“Through our investment we are creating a High Street that can respond to future change, helps tackle the climate and ecological emergencies and improves air quality.

“The intention behind the investment is to revitalise the High Street and help it overcome the threats facing many local shopping areas as people shop and choose to spend their leisure time differently. 

“The High Street will not be pedestrianised, but through traffic will be limited to disabled access, deliveries for shops and other businesses, and allow buses to return. 

“Construction will begin later this month and the team will work twilight shifts, between 6pm and 2am to minimise the impact on businesses and residents. 

“Throughout construction, we will continue to work with businesses and provide updates to traders and the local community as work progresses.”

Construction work is expected to last until Spring 2024.