TTADRA group fears at wait for Thornbury High Street plans

The group, which is against the changes, also fears that costs will have spiralled in recent months and has questioned whether the original budget is still feasible. 

Thornbury Town and District Residents Association (TTADRA) says it wrote to South Gloucestershire Council with a number of queries relating to plans to semi-pedestrianise the High Street.

But says a reply from Cllr Rachael Hunt in October ended by saying 'The council are working with many local stakeholder groups to develop the final plans.'

Councillor Rachael Hunt (Image: Newsquest)

TA spokesperson for TTADRA said: "There is an issue arising out of the fact that the final plans will not foreseeably be ready to view until December and whether the public will be given plenty of time to examine and comment on the final shape of the changes. 

"And, of course, whether SGC will react positively to feedback from the public."

South Gloucestershire Council obtained funding for the project based on estimates of the final costs. 

"With inflation now becoming a serious issue, has the project been sufficiently funded to achieve completion? Increased costs will be affecting both materials and labour.  

"The council has already admitted that its budget for 2022/23 could mean cuts and job losses, and central government spending looks like it will also be cut, with no reason for misplaced optimism in the next couple of years at least.

"Would it not be sensible to put the High Street back the way it was, using some of the funding, and return the remainder to the Local Enterprise Partnership, where it could be re-purposed to schemes with better credentials for improving the region’s economy?"

However, a spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said plans would be shared before the end of the year.

Thornbury High Street (Image: Newsquest)

They said: “Our programme of investment into Thornbury will support a sustainable High Street that is fit for the future, improve air quality, make it easier for people to walk and cycle to and from the High Street, and improve parking for residents, businesses, and visitors.

"Our core Thornbury project team remains unchanged, and we are working with organisations and individuals including Thornbury Town Partnership, local businesses, the Town Council, and local councillors to refine our final plans for the High Street.

“We have listened to the feedback provided and have added additional blue badge parking spaces following our work with the Accessibility and Equality Group which was specifically set-up to ensure good accessibility for all.

"We have also been working and engaging with businesses to adapt the design to reflect their business needs wherever possible. We will be sharing the final plans, which will incorporate the changes and updates as a result of our conversations, before the end of the year.”