Council's plan for Kingswood high street amid struggle with 'empty shops and antisocial behaviour'

Pedestrianisation had been considered but now looks unlikely to happen

A time-restricted traffic ban, improved shop frontages and more greenery are among the ideas being considered to improve Kingswood town centre. The South Gloucestershire neighbourhood has been awaiting investment for years after funding was identified, and now South Gloucestershire Council wants feedback from local residents and businesses.

It has launched a new consultation website detailing its vision for key areas of the town, listing several individual projects "which have potential to kick-start transformational change". The site states: "Kingswood has a proud history and enormous potential for an exciting future.

"However, the decline of traditional manufacturing industries hit the town hard and the trends towards online shopping exacerbated by the restrictions enforced during the Covid 19 pandemic present further challenges to Kingswood’s prospects.

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"You have told us you are rightly proud of your town and its history but want to see proactive investment to reinvigorate its future...You told us about the challenges facing the high street - empty shops, antisocial behaviour and graffiti.

"You told us that for too long Kingswood had been neglected and under-invested in." The authority says it has secured "significant funding" to "help reverse declines and deliver the more ambitious future local people want".

Its masterplan for Kingswood was originally published in May 2022, outlining the key aims for improvement. Now it has released more details of specific proposals and is asking people to share their views on several individual projects "which have potential to kick-start transformational change for the town".

They include proposals to improve pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, restore the historic Whitfield Tabernacle and invest in Kingswood Park. Crucially, there are plans to improve the town's main high street, Regent Street.

King's Chase Shopping Centre had already been earmarked for a £5.5m revamp, but works are yet to commence. Concerns have been heightened in the town recently with the departure of a major anchor brand, Wilko.

In its new consultation site, the council said it had received feedback that "some areas of Kingswood are not especially pleasant places to spend time", with concerns including traffic congestion, pollution and empty premises. The authority did investigate the potential to pedestrianise the area, but said it had since identified issues such as the feasibility of rubbish collections and the likelihood of pollution being shifted to neighbouring streets.

While it didn't explicitly say that pedestrianisation had been ruled out, the council confirmed it "wants to consider additional options". These include part-pedestrianisation of the high street and potentially exclusion of lorries from the high street.

Its other ideas for Regent Street are to:

• Improve shop frontages
• Introduce new paving, places to sit, bins and lighting
• Make Regent Street 'greener' with trees, planters and green bus stops
• Introduce a time-restricted closure of the high street to traffic e.g. on certain Saturdays/weekends to allow for a market
• Measures to improve accessibility e.g. minimising changes to levels to reduce steps, including into shops where possible
• More accessible parking i.e. DDA and parent and child parking
• Improved signage and directions
• Incentivising new investment into vacant shops and premises

A council spokesperson said: "Our vision for Regent Street and the wider town centre area is that it should be an attractive, vibrant, safe and family-friendly place where the community comes together to socialise, to eat and drink, to shop, work and enjoy our leisure time. We want to preserve, restore and celebrate the history and story of Kingswood whilst supporting a high street that is fit for the future."

Councillor Leigh Ingham, cabinet member responsible for communities and local place at South Gloucestershire Council, added: “Kingswood’s history is something to be cherished and celebrated. Our investment in the town, through the restoration of the Tabernacle, improvements to Kings Chase shopping centre and these two new projects aim to protect and restore the town’s heritage while positioning Kingswood for a brighter future.

"We want people to be proud of the work we’re going to do in Kingswood and I encourage local people and those that visit the area to share their views during the upcoming 8-week engagement period to shape Kingswood’s future." To take part, visit kingswoodregeneration.commonplace.is.