Thoroughfares and Public Spaces

Reasons for the Policy

The most important influence upon the vitality of a town centre is the number and quality and degree of connection of the routes that pass through it. Stourbridge Town Centre developed because it was the most accessible point for all the Town’s inhabitants to reach. Changes that have taken place over time mean that this is not now necessarily the case: the ring road inhibits pedestrian, cycle and bus access.

The plan aims to redress this situation by ensuring all members of the community and visitors have excellent access to Stourbridge Town Centre, and to high quality open spaces within it.

While the plan aims to improve access for people using all modes of transport it will favour some modes over others. The priority will be based on sustainability as follows:-

1. The pedestrian

2. The cyclist

3. Those using public transport

4. The motorcyclist

5. The car user.

Routes

The current strategic highway network provides for:-

North-South A491 (High Street/Hagley Road)

A451 (Worcester Street)

East-West A458 (Enville Street/Birmingham Street)

These are linked to a clockwise circulatory ring road (St. John’s Road/Bath Road/New Road). This will continue to be the main access to, and route of traffic around, the Town.

However, changes in this network are proposed in order to:

include the Angel Passage site and the bus station within the Town Centre;
overcome congestion in Enville Street; and
assist traffic circulation within the Town Centre.

Pedestrian Movement

Stourbridge has an excellent legacy in its street pattern which is added to by a network of passageways. Victoria Passage is an excellent example, as it has activities fronting onto the street which increases the perception of public safety. It is important these passageways are not lost, as they add to circulation and accessibility within the Centre.

For the pedestrian, getting into the Town Centre is difficult as it means crossing the ring road. This can be achieved by the use of one of six underpasses or a zebra crossing. The underpasses do not provide an obvious gateway to the Town or the most direct route and are unattractive.

The current links between the Town and the River Stour are very poor, as is the ability to move within this corridor into the open spaces along the Stour Valley. The Council intends to improve the links to this valuable open space, as well as enhancing and opening up the river corridor itself.

Public Transport

Stourbridge is served by a large bus station and adjacent railway station. The railway station offers a regular shuttle service to Stourbridge Junction where services to Worcester and Birmingham are available. The problem for people visiting Stourbridge by public transport is that neither of these facilities are inside the ring road.

There are proposals to open up the heavy rail link between Stourbridge and Walsall to passenger traffic which will increase public transport access to the Town. There are also longer term ambitions, outside of this plan period to extend the Midland Metro to Stourbridge itself. Within the plan period Centro are investigating replacing the branch connection to Stourbridge Junction with a people-mover facility, with the possibility of an extension into the Town Centre.

In order to make public transport more attractive it needs to be seen to have an advantage over the private car. Measures will therefore be sought to facilitate the passage of public transport wherever practical.

Cycling

There are currently two official cycle routes which penetrate the Town Centre, from Kingswinford and Merry Hill. These enter the Centre through the Lower High Street underpass. Having reached the Centre there are no facilities for the storage of cycles and when leaving Stourbridge the cyclist has to negotiate Lower High Street against the traffic flow which is illegal, or use the ring road which is presently unattractive to cyclists.

Cyclists wanting to by pass the Town Centre are also not catered for. The introduction of traffic signals and improved management and control of the ring road will present a safer environment for cyclists wishing to bypass the Town.

Parking

There are two multi storey car parks which are both unpopular with users due to their unattractive interior and exterior and perceived safety and security problems. Both, however, are in good locations being close to the Town Centre facilities and the ring road. There are large surface car parks only 300 metres from the High Street, but are in reality completely divorced from the Town Centre due to the ring road. Usage of these is therefore extremely low.

The signs for Town Centre car parks are poor quality and badly sited and there is nothing to inform the passing motorist what is on offer in the Town Centre.

Gateways

Attractive gateways to the Town are particularly important as these can welcome people to the Town and give a vital first impression for visitors. Gateways are not just the entrances off the ring road but also the bus station, railway station, entrances to car parks and routes from car parks to facilities.

A major gateway to the Town is the crossing over the River Stour itself from which the Town derives its name. It is proposed to highlight this historic and important crossing.

Public Spaces

The public spaces in Stourbridge currently suffer from being dominated by vehicular traffic. However, they also suffer from poor quality surfaces, landscaping, street furniture, lighting, signage and a lack of open spaces for people to sit. Proposals for High Street and Market Street will increase the opportunities for remedying this situation.

The Town suffers from the lack of a natural focus or Town Square. This should be the area around the Clock and the entrance to the Crown Centre. This area is ill-defined and its use for meeting people, sitting, eating, performance and trade is restricted. The space needs to be redesigned to fulfil its role as the primary public space of the Town. Other natural crossroads within the Town could also provide a lesser but important public square function and can be identified as landmarks within the Town.

The centre lacks any green spaces and redevelopment proposals should attempt to address this situation when appropriate. The grounds of St. Thomas’s Church provide the only green space in the Town, this area needs to be protected and enhanced.

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