TRAFFIC IN HISTORIC TOWNS: THE WINCHESTER PERSPECTIVE

The study described assesses the measures used to deal with traffic in 26 historic towns throughout England. The reasons for the study are given, in particular the desire to examine whether other historic towns faced similar traffic problems to Winchester and how the authorities are handling their particular problems. The information obtained on each historic town is analysed on a comparative basis assessing: 1) levels of car parking provision; 2) previous policies adopted for accommodating or regulating traffic demands; 3) current policies and proposals for traffic, particularly considering whether further road schemes are planned or whether positive traffic restraint policies are being advanced, the role of public transport in complementing traffic restraint measures, and whether restrictive land use policies are applied to minimise further traffic attraction to the central areas; 4) whether any studies have been undertaken of the likely commercial or economic effects on central areas of traffic restraint policies. The paper concludes by outlining the planning and highway strategy which is now being recommended for the town. For the covering abstract of the seminar see TRIS 456275.