Waterside and Southern Lane is one of the areas with the most footfall in Stratford-upon-Avon. Treatment for this area needs careful consideration, as it is a pedestrian focal point, providing access to various leisure and recreational facilities in addition to access. As an important shared public space, the approach to upgrading its environment needs careful and sensitive consideration.

There is an opportunity to explore whether aspects like safety, congestion, economic vitality and movement networks can be effectively tackled in Stratford’s streets and public spaces by designing and managing traffic to be fully integrated with other human activity. This philosophy of shared spaces has been employed successfully in many European towns and is the subject of many positive worldwide debates on traffic mangament issues.

Work is currently ongoing on the brief for the Southern Lane and Waterside Improvements; and the vision is to:

• To transform Southern Lane and Waterside (as part of the overall improvements for Stratford-upon-Avon which will eventually include Bridge Street/Bridgefoot) areas into a pedestrian and cyclist friendly world-class public realm area, capable of responding to the need for evening economy and café-culture activities; and making the river front and its surrounding environment an economic catalyst to the town.
  
  
• Improving the character and quality of the Southern Lane, Waterside and Bridge Street/Bridgefoot areas to create a quality physical environment. This will complement the redevelopment of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s theatres and landholdings, improvements to the Bancroft and Recreation Grounds and continuing into the town itself, whilst accommodating the needs of those who use the area and travel through it.
  
  
• Bring together and exemplify the benefits of linking Waterside and Southern Lane developments to the Recreation Grounds through the proposed new cyclist and pedestrian bridge.
  
  
• Capitalising on the areas’ historic and rich environment, facilities and movement links created, the vision is to demonstrate the added value offered by the improvements to the area.