Proposals - Market Street

Existing Condition & Challenges

Market Street is a thriving local high street with a diverse retail offer. Market Street consists of a mix of historic buildings with a retail ground floor and 1-2 stories of residential above. The independent stores within narrow buildings are flanked by pavements that are often occupied by bins and spill out from shops, limiting pedestrian movement.

The car dominated narrow street is a single, one way lane with a lane of parking on either side. The street lacks trees or greening within the public environment.

Active travel access across Exchange Road is poor due to narrow pavements and a three lane road. The Holy Rood Catholic Church marks the gateway to the town centre, though it is surrounded by some poorly maintained contemporary buildings framing the intersection.

Aspirations & Potential 

Market Street has the potential to improve its character, strengthen its identity as a local high street and further support the town centre. There is opportunity to transform the currently car dominated space to become a more public and active travel focussed street. This will improve the setting of the historic buildings on the street, make it easier to access on foot and enhance the setting for the commercial activity, with more dedicated space for them to spill put into the public space. The apiration is to improve the link to the High Street, an attractive street with a different offer. The two parts of Market Street can become one continuous space.

Precedents

High Street, Walthamstow

• Priority given to pedestrians and cyclists
• Continuous paving across the carriageway
• Multi modal carriageway
• Flush surface across the carriageway and pavements
• Greening
• Cafes spilling out onto the street

Venn Street, Clapham

• Pedestrian and cycle priority street
• Restaurants and cafes open onto the street
• Flush surface across the carriageway and pavements