Warwick Town Centre Proposals - St John's junction improvements

Warwickshire County Council undertook a public engagement to the proposed St John’s Junction Improvements scheme in Warwick Town Centre. Engagement took place in November/December 2022; feedback was requested via a public survey, in person drop-in sessions and an online Teams event. These results were reviewed, including open-ended comments and letter/email responses submitted to the council, capturing key themes.

A total of 326 surveys were received, mostly from Warwickshire residents, of whom 55% live in Warwick Town centre.  

The key findings are; 

• Respondents are broadly supportive of the scheme objectives and agree with the scheme in principle. The feedback demonstrates a strong level of support for improving the area around St. John’s from an active travel, traffic management and environmental perspective, with just under two thirds of respondents either “agreeing” or “strongly agreeing” with the scheme objectives. 

• However, specific proposals of the scheme attracted a significant amount of negative feedback, particularly concerning the loss of car parking spaces. This may reflect the high level of car travel amongst respondents and level of parking usage at St. John’s. There is also a strong reaction from local shoppers and business owners, with existing concerns over the vitality of the town centre due to a lack of available spaces. Removal of parking, which is already at a premium, was generally not well received.  

• Many respondents offered suggestions such as better management of existing spaces, rather than reducing the overall number of spaces, would be beneficial and should be explored in more detail. Respondents were broadly supportive of providing a loading bay and more disabled spaces, however there were concerns that these would get abused without proper policing.  

• Respondents broadly recognise existing issues in the area in regards to congestion, rat running and the premise for reducing car parking and restricting turning movements in/out of the service road. However, many did not believe the scheme would have a material impact on active travel; indeed, key concerns included the mixing of pedestrians and cyclists, local road safety issues and potential loss of pedestrian priority at signalised crossings.  

• Local residents were also concerned by restricting turning movements onto St Nicholas Church Street from St. John’s service road but also from Smith Street, despite the latter not being included in the proposals. Congestion on Coventry Road and Coten End was raised by a number of respondents, with some thinking that this could get worse with the proposals. The introduction of signalised crossing garnered a mixed response, with a lack of consensus as to whether this would improve or exacerbate traffic flow problems.  

• Many respondents agreed with improving the look and feel of St. John’s, although some questioned the level of intervention required, due to perceived cost. Some respondents were also concerned by the removal of existing trees in the area. Overall, landscaping interventions were well received by respondents by way of improving the look and feel of the area; however, this may be negated by lack of perceived safety in the area, e.g. by mixing pedestrian and cycling traffic.  

WCC Response

• Regarding the loss of car parking spaces and management; The current parking spaces are substandard, as they are currently too small. The proposals upgraded the spaces to modern standards making them safer and easier to use. The scheme also provides better provision for cycle parking encouraging alternative modes of travel.  

• Regarding the material impact on active travel; This scheme is part of an overall programme of works to improve active travel in the area. These schemes will provide safe corridors for active travel users.  

• Regarding restricting turning movements; The scheme has been modelled and does not have a negative effective on the overall traffic flow within Warwick. This scheme is also part of the wider Warwick Town Centre improvements, with this scheme enabling those future changes to take place.   

• Regarding the cost of the scheme; WCC believe the benefits to improved look and feel of this area, justify any additional cost to the scheme.   

Next Steps; 

• Detailed design is underway, with final proposals being shared publicly in due course. 
• Following detailed design, a procurement exercise will be undertaken and contractor will be appointed. 
• Once contractor is appointed construction will start, subject to availability of contractor and road space.