Ashington Town Centre | Existing Network Infrastructure Outdated Public Realm / Cluttered Streets
Issues
50m 35m
45m
Path 45m
33m ashington town centre | existing network infrastructure outdated public realm / cluttered streets
PARKWAY LC L
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N LINTONVILLE
Air Vents V
I Wansbeck L L ashington leisure centre E rotary parkway Business T TA Centre E REIVERDALE Park 34m L E I L A V N 1 O T 9
I N L TE 7
asda ashington ashington leisure centre north east quarter LINTONVILLE
Mast rotary parkway 35m ROAD
B BOOTHS RD ! congestion A WOODHORN ESSEX CL O PARKWAY Superstore O 1 ‘customer only’ parking RD ! T 9 ROTARY asda
H A N 7
S station road O A197 1 Bus Sta
R
9 CT BOOTHS
F Car Pk 6
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L Coun asda service T
K YMCA& parking E C Offs R poundstretcher
L R
A C 39m coop
ROAD ! poor pedestrian routes & main throughE STREET connections route HALDANE STATION RD STATION woodhorn road existing parking provision quantity PO RD station road
JOHN ROAD gated total parking available in AshingtonSTATION town centre 1120 wansbeck square access gated PW Liby access total parking ‘customer protected’ 660PW S O STREET U T H V SOUTHW VIEW Car PW total parking for public use 460 congestion PW Govt ! Park PW Pav ! poorOffices pedestrian VIEW 35m
ROAD PARK crossing Leisure PW
KENILWORTH Vicarage W Centre Cricket
A WEST N Cemy Ground Track S
B
E VIEW W C P A R K K A
N M VIEW
S MS S
B INSTITUTE School E objectives | ashington investment plan / movement strategy C K Car Park PW ASHBOURNE CRESCENT 33m Track • to re-establish Ashington town centre as a thriving heart to the town; ROAD 36m • to improve the experience of pedestrians and public transport users; Sch PW Allotment Gardens • to improve the vitality of the main shoppingROAD thoroughfare on Station Road; • to improve connectivity throughout Ashington; and • to create a more walkable, active and healthy town centre
HEALTH & LEISURE ashington leisure centre A public space and northern bookend to Ashington’s Investment Plan linking the community & leisure centre with Station Road approach a new main route into Ashington
The concept for the town centre has been to create a series of COMMERCIAL SQUARE CIVIC SQUARE A lively space linking the retail loop interlinked formal urban spaces linking the new and revitalised with the civic square A public space that permits public retail, commercial, civic and leisure quarters of Ashington. gatherings
a new east-west street to reduce traffic This network of spaces provides opportunities for formal volume on Lintonville Terrace & provide a and informal gatherings, relaxed interaction and a healthy legible public realm network a new north-south street to reduce traffic volume on Lintonville Terrace walkable and engaged public realm.
wansbeck square
STATION ROAD GRAND CORNER Revitalisation of the existing retail Gateway to the town centre and heart heart and southern bookend to of the retail quarter Ashington’s Investment Plan
transformation of grand corner to create free flowing, de-cluttered & attractive space station road improvements | existing situation
There is recognition of the need to improve the appearance and pedestrian experience along Station Road and instigate a sense of vitality to Ashington’s high street.
While through longer term regeneration proposals Station Road is likely to be book-ended by developments and generate an increased footfall and custom, there is a need to carry out improvements in the short term to encourage local people back in the town centre.
Existing Commercial Property Occupiers [north] existing street arrangement Building No. Occupier raised planters 1 Superdrug 3 Lloyds TSB
49 5 William Hill 45 brick wall / gateway 43a 43 41a 7 Barclays 39 37 35 33 31 9 Barclays street furniture29 brick wall / gateway 27 25 23 11 Healthier Smoker 21a 21 19 17 15 11a Subway 13 11a 11 9 7 13 Scope 5 3 15 Grainger Games 1 17 Card Factory
19 Halifax 58 56 54 52 50 21 Sue Ryder Care shelter 48 46 58a 44 42 21a Vacant 40 38 36 34 statue 32 23 Holland & Barrett 30 28 26 24 25 The Fruit Shop 58b 22 18 16 14 27 Select 12 10 8 29 Vacant (Queens News) bandstand 6 31 Semi chem 33 Vacant 35 Vacant / Baileys Blinds 37 Carphone Warehouse existing arrangement : market day 39 Coral 41a Willow Tree Deli / Bargain Buys 43 British Heart Foundation 43a Shoe Zone
49 45 Price Busters 45 43a 43 41a 39 49 Brighthouse 37 35 33 31 29 27 25 23 21a 21 19 17 15 13 11a 11 9 7 Existing Commercial Property Occupiers [south] 5 3 1 Building No. Occupier 2 Poundland
58 56 4 New Look 54 52 50 48 6 Arthritis 46 58a 44 42 40 38 8 EE 36 34 32 30 28 10 Newcastle Building Society 26 24 58b 22 18 12 Vacant 16 14 12 10 14 Heron Foods 8 6 16 St. Oswald’s Hospice 18 O2 22 Salvation Army 24 Savers 26 3 28 Boots 30 Boots 32 Greggs 34 Clark’s 36 Hays 38 Vacant 40 Al’s Bakers Pantry 42 Dorothy Perkins 44 Burton 46 M&Co. 48 M&Co. 50 Inspiration 52 Thomson 54 Ashington Chippy 56 Mobility Direct 58 Children’s Society 58a Bubbles 58b Vapes station road improvements | the issues
market traders concerned limited potential for expansion consider infrastructure dated & a cleaner, less-cluttered street would be desirable market traders consider market has a historic feel to it : a ‘meeting place’ and place for social interaction access difficult at each end of Station Road but workable preference to remain on Station Road (previous location unsuccessful) relocation during construction not desired buses events access and parking of vans a known problem (must enter before 7am; exit by 8am) consider market stalls a good fit with the town - do not wish to expand at expense of quality suggestion the success of market could support a second day during summer wind tunnel effect along station road causes issues with litter and increased cleaning costs market to display a degree of consistency in arrangement, look and feel common outcomes desire to attract speciality markets no available parking spaces for traders after 8am - request dedicated area for market traders market traders currently use generators - would welcome integrated power sources ground anchors desirable for market stalls (especially regarding exposed / wind swept aspect) mobility groups taxis require good quality permanent lighting for setup/trading during hours of darkness
events programme organised events inc. Christmas Lights switch-on; and Ashington Fair Day. Other events ‘ad-hoc’ town traders Ashington Fair popular but limited by street design. Event requires road closure bandstand never used since its installation - compromises opportunities on market days/events only 1 of the 3 flagpoles ever used. Suggested relocation dedicated event space not necessary as events fit around available space stages brought in to suit event requirements - permanent stage not necessary concerns wind tunnel effect of station road causes issues with litter and increased costs for NCC concerned a second market day would increase street cleaning costs additional ‘Food Fest’ event planned occupying full length of street fun fair set-up on an ‘ad-hoc’ basis - need to approach Neighbourhood Services for permission desirable to assign an Events Manager at NCC to manage events / permits standard policy of requirements & expectations desirable from NCC for events, mobile stalls etc. NCC policy would assist in raising standards of events and improve Health & Safety desire to remove brick walls to each end of street (though noted they provide valuable windbreak) desire for ground anchors and integrated power sources suggestion if road reopened, road closure would be required at 4-5 events per year + market day concerns raised if Station Road opens for buses, issues may arise for event/market road closures
common outcomes | features public felt important taxi operators taxi ranks used by both Ashington & Phoenix Taxis - operation is a ‘dynamic’ situation open the road up to through traffic taxi ranks positioned at both ends of Station Road - main rank of 5 bays outside TSB provide new street furniture including seating cars arrive to pick-up fares ‘ad-hoc’ when contracted fares not available (variable day/night) private cars use ranks for parking with no enforcement (in excess of designated spaces) retain Jackie Milburn statue shortage of space at the rank for buffering taxis provide flexible space for event days traffic signals make congestion inevitable with service vehicles, blue badge holders & pedestrians traffic light phasing does not help vehicle movement - free flowing roundabout may be preferable provide flexible space for weekly market day rolling rank not currently an option provide on-street parking for shopping removal of street furniture and walling desirable to provide a line of sight between taxi ranks provide a bus service vehicles use back lanes as ‘rat-runs’ due to pedestrianised street Ashington Taxis suggested opening up Station Road to traffic would improve pick-up / drop-off Phoenix Taxis expressed safety concerns if Station Road opened to traffic consensus that Station Road needs a taxi rank - main issue ‘taxi buffering’ / queuing suggested taxi rank & road closures unorganised / unplanned and challenging for taxis drop-off / pick-up forces taxis into congested area due to presence of guard railing desire to de-clutter street removing all unnecessary fixed features scale of taxi operation needs to be appropriate to the street setting potential for buffering solution to utilise back Lintonville lane as a loop - to be considered if Station Road opened to traffic, careful consideration necessary for road width / ‘in-line’ taxi rank concerned development of Ashington could attract additional taxi operators - control necessary station road improvements | upgraded pedestrianised street materials key key features: Precast concrete paving flags to • Fully pedestrianised space footways in front of retail units
• Decorative lockable gates at each end of street to restrict vehicular access (for service vehicles; market traders; Precast concrete block paving to emergency services; maintenance) clearly identify central event / • Clear and unobstructed footways along retail frontages activity zone
• Central activity zone / event space for market stalls and organised seasonal events
Unobstructed Flexible events zone incorporating seating areas, trees and Unobstructed • Large beds of planting and decorative trees to provide colour footway planting with space for organised events and market stalls footway and seasonal interest and provide shelter for integrated (3.5m approx) (12m) (5m approx) seating typical section through station road • Clustered seating areas
• Planters incorporating decorative trees
• Cycle parking
• Opportunities for re-location of Jackie Milburn statue and retained on high street
1 3 2 3 5 wansbeck square 2 4 3 2
5 grand corner
1 1 3 2 3 4 5
Fully pedestrianised street providing a safe, open Generous planting beds incorporating decorative Communal seating areas carefully arranged Opportunity for Jackie Cycle stands to provide secure and flexible street with a central zone for events trees and planting and framed with integrated to accommodate spaces for wheelchairs and Milburn statue to be retained storage of bicycles and market days incorporating seating areas and seating prams and provide opportunities for sitting in & relocated on the high street colourful planting beds both shade and full sun
1st Proposal advantages
Safe open flexible street with access only for market traders, service vehicles, emergency services and maintenance
Reduces chance of conflict between pedestrians / cyclists with live traffic
Clear and unobstructed footways adjacent to retail frontages
Central activity zone for events, market stalls and organised seasonal events
Large planting areas and decorative trees to provide shelter for integrated seating clustered seating areas
Shared cycle facility including cycle parking
Enforced by lockable pivoting gates
disadvantages
No through traffic
No passing trade
No on-street parking
No bus service
progression to 2nd proposal station road improvements | open to 2-way traffic materials key
key features: Precast concrete paving flags to footways in front of retail units • Street open to 2-way traffic including buses
• Provision of up to 30 parking spaces Precast concrete block paving to • Central ‘median’ between roadways to assist in reducing road parking bays and road channels speed and facilitate pedestrian crossing
• Clear and unobstructed footways along retail frontages Stone sett paving to courtesy • Generous pedestrian ‘courtesy’ crossings crossings
• Clustered seating areas Parking Carriageway Median Carriageway Unobstructed footway (2.4m) (3m) (1.8m) (3m) (4.4m approx) Unobstructed footway Bus stop, seating parking • Planting beds framed with seating to control parking areas, (3.5m approx) (2.4m) provide places to rest and provide year round seasonal interest
• Bus stops (in carriageway) in both directions with covered bus shelters and integrated seating
• Communal seating areas on both sides of the street
• Opportunities for re-location of Jackie Milburn statue and retained on high street
• Sufficient space for location of lockable cycle stands
3 5 2 7 1 1 6 6 wansbeck square
4 7 6 3 1 grand corner
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Planting beds control parking areas Central median to separate carriageways Communal seating areas conveniently Localised enlarged spaces on the street Opportunity for Jackie Raised courtesy crossings to assist in reducing road Bus stop (westbound) located on south side and provide year round seasonal and assist in reducing road speed and safer located on both sides of the street provide opportunities for outdoor dining Milburn statue to be retained speed and provide highly conspicuous pedestrian of the street with a covered shelter and interest. Robust ‘bookends’ protect pedestrian crossing adjacent to the bus stop & relocated on the high street crossings at regular intervals along the street integrated seating (image indicative) plants and provide additional seating
2nd Proposal advantages
Open to through traffic
Will provide passing trade
Open to a bus service
Access into Ashington Town Centre from both directions
Elements of on-street parallel parking provision
Disabled parking bays
Provision of bus shelters
Clear and unobstructed footways adjacent to retail frontages
Generous pedestrian ‘courtesy crossings’
Planting beds framed with seating
disadvantages
No space for market stalls
May be used as a ‘rat run’ by passing traffic bringing increased traffic onto grand corner
Reduced pedestrian areas
Reduced areas for street cafe / seating
progression to preferred proposal station road improvements | open to 1-way traffic (westbound) materials key key features: Precast concrete paving flags to Precast concrete block paving to footways in front of retail units clearly identify central event / • Street open to 1-way traffic including buses (westbound only) activity zone • Provision of up to 30 parking spaces (including 6 accessible bays) Precast concrete block paving to parking bays and road channels • Clear and unobstructed footways along retail frontages
• Flexible ‘activity zone’ to accommodate market stalls, events, Stone sett paving to courtesy street theatre etc crossings • Linear planting beds to provide a buffer between the Unobstructed Parking Linear Planting bed Unobstructed footway carriageway and the generously proportioned pedestrian / footway (5m) (2m) (4m approx) activity zone (3.5m approx) Carriageway Activity zone & (westbound) seating areas • Conspicuous pedestrian ‘courtesy’ crossings located at regular (3m) (3m) intervals along the street
• Clustered seating areas
• Planting beds framed with seating to control parking areas, provide places to rest and provide year round seasonal interest
• Bus stop (in roadway) with covered bus shelter and integrated seating
• Opportunities for re-location of Jackie Milburn statue and 3 retained on high street 2 3 6 5 1 4 • Sufficient space for location of lockable cycle stands 1 3 5 3 wansbeck square 1 2 5 1 2
1 grand corner
1 2 3 4 5 6
echelon parking provides space for up to 30 Linear planters provide a landscaped buffer Communal seating areas conveniently located Opportunity for Jackie Raised courtesy crossings to assist in reducing Bus stop located on both sides of the street with a covered shelter and cars including 6 designated accessible parking between the carriageway and the generously on both sides of the street adjacent to the bus Milburn statue to be retained road speed and provide highly conspicuous integrated seating (image indicative) bays proportioned south facing pedestrian street stop & relocated on the high street pedestrian crossings at regular intervals along the street
Preferred Proposal advantages
Open to through traffic
Will provide passing trade
Open to a bus service (westbound only)
Provision of approximately 30 on-street and easy access echelon parking bays including 6 disabled bays
Clear and unobstructed footways along retail frontages
Flexible ‘activity zone’ to accommodate new market stalls, events, street theatre etc
Planting beds to provide a buffer between the carriageway and pedestrian areas
Conspicuous pedestrian ‘courtesy crossings’ located at various positions along the street
Clustered seating areas
Planting beds framed with seating to control parking areas, provide places to rest and provide year round seasonal interest
Bus stop in running lane with shelter and integrated seating
Sufficient space for shared pedestrian and cycle areas with lockage cycle stands
disadvantages
Only open to traffic in a westerly direction station road improvements | open to 1-way traffic (westbound) | concept visuals
street view station road on market day
Preferred Proposal