Proposals - Link to Queens Road

Existing Condition & Challenges

Queen’s Road and the Broadway are currently separated from the High Street by Beechen Grove. The underpass does not currently allow cycle access and it is not a particularly welcoming space to pedestrians. The approach to the High Street is dominated by the rear facade of the shopping centre. There is an abrupt contrast between the large scale of the shopping centre and the more domestic scale of Queen’s Road, with its clusters of independent shops and older buildings.


Aspirations & Potential 

Create a strong identity for the area and integrate it with the town centre more positively. The area should be seen as a seamless and natural extension to the town centre with a diverse offer of complementary retail and commercial activity.
Connect the area more closely to the town centre across Beechen Grove as a natural extension to the town centre with clear way finding between the two areas. A surface level crossing will facilitate pedestrian and cycle access across the Town Centre and encourage movement between the Queen’s Road shopping precinct and the High St.

Precedents

Stamford New Road Altrincham

• Independent retail with a multi-modal street
• Strong identity through consistent public realm

Clarendon Road, Watford

• Surface crossing replaces pedestrian underpass