Newbury's extended pedestrianisation trial has been dealt another body blow after the council found the promised environmental and health benefits didn't materialise and traffic was simply displaced.
More than 75 per cent of public consultation respondents rejected the scheme, citing severe congestion, reduced evening trade and accessibility problems for disabled shoppers and delivery vehicles.
The council will revert pedestrianised hours back to 10am to 5pm from September 2026.
In a separate survey there were 213 objections and 744 in support of returning to the 10am to 5pm closure.
Respondents still said the 11pm trial made the town centre feel safer, cleaner and more attractive for evening activity, and many suggested compromises such as later reopening, different weekday/weekend arrangements or seasonal hours. They also want better management of deliveries, parking, enforcement, crossings, e-bikes, scooters and cyclists.
The council said there was no firm evidence the extended hours encouraged active travel, and that traffic displaced onto other routes reduced any potential net environmental or health improvement.
Newbury town centre was first pedestrianised in 1998. Hours were adjusted over time to 10am to 5pm in 2011, until an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order extended the evening closure to 11pm in May 2025.
Under the ETRO process, the first six months allow comments and objections, and the 18-month period determines whether a scheme becomes permanent or is removed. The recommended decision restores the pre-trial 10am to 5pm restrictions.
The council says the Newbury Masterplan refresh will consider any future changes through a separate, comprehensive engagement process.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
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