Feedback and ideas from residents, local businesses, the town council and developers has helped shape plans for improvement works in Weston-super-Mare town centre.

Alexandra Parade and Station Road works (PDF, 3.03 MB)

Following an extensive public consultation, the proposed plan has been amended:

• Trees – the layout has been adjusted to retain more of the mature trees in the centre of Alexandra Parade
• Taxis – the existing taxi rank near the Tesco entrance has been retained and extended
• New green area – a new, additional green space outside the Tavern Inn the Town will be created
• Parking spaces – the planned bus stop on Oxford Street has been moved to make way for a loading and parking bay for the shops on Walliscote Road
• Toilets on Alexandra Parade – working closely with the town council, the council is hoping to provide public toilets near the bus interchange
• Gated pedestrianised zone – to eliminate unauthorised driving, the pedestrianised zone will be gated, apart from during delivery times and for cyclists

Cllr Mark Canniford, Executive Member for Business, Economy and Employment at North Somerset Council, said: “The consultation on the planned improvement works at Alexandra Parade has allowed us to listen and fully understand what people want in their town centre and wherever possible, we’ve changed the proposed plan to include residents and transport users’ suggestions.”

“The new plan for Alexandra Parade will create an area that will become a functional and attractive space for residents, visitors and employers of Weston.”
The final plan has been shared with over 200 people who commented on the original proposal. It will deliver:

• a more attractive entrance to the town with improved landscaping and the planting of over 30 new trees
• a more accessible and simpler hub by bringing scattered town centre bus stops into one location on Regent Street,
• enhanced cycling and pedestrian links across the town centre
• an improved road layout of Alexandra Parade and Walliscote Road reducing the volume of traffic in the town centre
• a decreased number of lorries in the daytime, introducing loading access to a new pedestrian zone on Regent Street between 6pm and 10am, with loading bays on the outskirts of the pedestrian zone available at all times of the day

Scrutiny Chairman, Cllr John Crockford-Hawley, said: “The scrutiny process has ensured that public comment played an active role in formulating these revised plans, and I would like to thank everybody who took the trouble to participate in our consultation.”

There will be a scrutiny panel for a final review of the plans on Tuesday the 29th October at 6pm in the New Council Chamber at the Town Hall. Members of the public are welcome to join to share comments.

Any further comments on the plan can be emailed to Weston.RegenerationTeam@n-somerset.gov.uk.

The project is being funded by a £4.45m grant from the Department for Transport and Local Growth Fund for public realm, highways and transport improvements to Station Road, Walliscote Road and Alexandra Parade. A further £850,000 from the same sources has also been awarded for similar works in Regent Street.

As part of the town centre regeneration programme, North Somerset Council will combine Alexandra Parade, Station Road and Regent Street improvements and deliver them together to achieve economies of scale.

The regeneration of Weston-super-Mare has invested significantly into the town centre over the last ten years, creating a vibrant and diverse town focused around living, learning and lifestyle. The council will continue to deliver improvements to key development sites, positively encourage investment and attract more people to live in the town centre, creating an improved local economy that is also sensitive and supportive of our vibrant heritage.

Alexandra Parade, Station Road and Walliscote Road works will be funded by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership through the Local Growth Fund, administered by the West of England Combined Authority.

Local Enterprise Partnerships are playing a vital role in driving forward economic growth. By 2021 Government will have invested over £12bn through the Local Growth Fund.

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