Isle of Wight's Newport high street parking to be scrapped?

As part of the Newport High Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) programme, the Isle of Wight Council is being asked to approve plans which will focus on people and not cars.

It is hoped the move would regenerate the town centre, attract investment, deliver significant accessibility benefits and make it a more attractive place to spend time.

Plans include the removal of 22 parking spaces on the High Street between St James’s Street and Holyrood Street, apart from three disabled bays and a loading bay; and widening footways to hopefully slow down traffic.

Current parking bays on Newport High Street.

Accessibility and appearance improvements could also be made to the High Street and St James’s Square with new planting, additional seating and bicycle parking with defined street furniture zones.

Phase one would revolve around changes to the High Street, with the second relating to St James’s Square, which could be extended to the Victoria Memorial and repaved to improve the look of the area.

St James' Square in Newport.

Consultation was carried out on a concept masterplan back at the start of 2020, with 182 responses — 63 per cent supporting the plans and 32 per cent against.

A total of 69 per cent thought more pedestrian space would make their experience of the town better but 15 per cent said it would make it worse.

Proposals to remove parking and increase pedestrian areas on Newport High Street. Picture by Hampshire County Council.

The council predict the cost of both phases will be £3 million, so will be done according to availability of resources — initial phases first with external funding sought for the later ones.

The Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet is being asked to approve the planned changes to the two areas next week, while also directing two departments to develop alternative routes and arrangements for traffic around the town centre.

The council say the nature and volume of traffic using the High Street remains a concern, with Historic England saying it was an issue that needed to be addressed.

In the consultation, 67 per cent of respondents said the current traffic arrangements negatively impacted their experience.

Pedestrian improvement proposals for Newport High Street and St James' Square. Picture by Hampshire County Council.

Visual plans have been produced by the council but are only indicative, with work ongoing to refine designs.