Shared Space – Love it or Hate it?

Mick Lewis’s article entitled “The Road to Hell is paved with good intentions”, in the Spring 2018 edition of the High Wycombe Society Newsletter, currently on its way out to members, seems to have hit a chord with some readers, and is already provoking discussion.  Many people, it seems, are baffled by recent road layout decisions and modern street design enhancements covered by the umbrella term “shared space”.   For those readers wanting to know more about the various reference documents Mick consulted in his exploration of the subject, here are the links to online versions of the documents …

1. The High Wycombe Town Centre Masterplan which gives details of the various planned road enhancements is at: www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/transport-and-roads/strategic-economic-plan/high-wycombe-town-centre-masterplan/
2. Early government guidance published in October 2011 in document LTN/1-11 can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/3873/ltn-1-11.pdf
3. Guidelines for local authority planners in the form of Manual for Streets can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/manual-for-streets
4. Its sequel Manual for Streets 2 is at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/manual-for-streets-2
5. Lord Holmes’ report concerning shared spaces can be found at: https://chrisholmes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Holmes-Report-on-Shared-Space-.pdf
6. A link to the review document entitled “Creating better streets: inclusive and accessible places” published by the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) in January 2018 is included within the launch article at: https://www.ciht.org.uk/media/4463/ciht_shared_streets_a4_v6_all_combined_1.pdf

At the end of 2017, WDC and BCC consulted on proposals for changes to the road layout for Queen Victoria Road and Easton Street.  These will have the effect of making both roads 2-way again.   These historic pictures were contributed by reader, Clifton Hughes, who can remember the time before the current one-way system.