Adapted from an Isle of Wight Council press release.

A consultation is now under way on traffic regulations for the proposed People First Zone in Newport High Street. The zone aims to improve the pedestrian environment making the High Street a more pleasant place to shop and spend time.

The new traffic regulations include more usable pavement space to make walking around the town easier, and feature new planting, seating and cycle parking.

A public consultation last year has led to design changes in response to the feedback, including:

• Introduction of more planting, in larger blocks, to give the town centre a greener feel.
• Improvements to parking for disabled people, with parking on both sides of the road and one extra-long parking bay to allow rear ramps to be used more easily.
• Retention of some general parking, to provide extra provision for disabled people who do not need dedicated bays and short-term parking for other others.

The work is part of the overall High Street Heritage Action Zone funded by Historic England, Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council and Isle of Wight Council. Work is also taking place in partnership with Southern Water to introduce new Sustainable Drainage Systems to reduce combined sewer overflows into the Medina Estuary.

The consultation on the Traffic Regulation Orders closes on May 12. Details of the proposed orders including how to submit your feedback are available on the council website.