Newbury Town Centre Masterplan to be refreshed as cornerstone of town's future

West Berkshire Council has confirmed that the next phase of work to help shape the future of Newbury town centre will be taken forward through a refresh of the Newbury Town Centre Masterplan, supported by a programme of public and stakeholder engagement. The refresh will provide an opportunity to consider a range of ideas and priorities for the town centre, including movement, accessibility, public spaces, and the overall experience of the town centre.

The Masterplan refresh will build on the ambition developed with residents, businesses and partners in recent years to create a town centre that is more walkable, welcoming and economically resilient - and one that supports local businesses, cultural life and accessibility while responding to how people actually use the town centre day to day and in the evening.

As part of this approach, the Council will draw together the learning from the extended pedestrianisation trial, alongside transport, economic and accessibility evidence, to inform a single, coherent plan for the town centre's future. Any decisions about permanent pedestrianisation arrangements will be considered in that wider context, rather than in isolation.

The extended pedestrianisation was introduced as a time‑limited pilot specifically to test ideas set out in the existing Masterplan and to gather real‑world evidence. The trial has generated extensive feedback and valuable insight, highlighting clear benefits for pedestrian safety, air quality, public space and the town centre experience, alongside practical issues around access, servicing and movement that need to be resolved if long‑term changes are to succeed.

Councillor Stuart Gourley, Executive Member for Highways and Environment, said:

"The pilot has done exactly what it was designed to do. It has given us real evidence, local insight and a much clearer understanding of what works well and what needs more thought. The responsible next step is to step back, take a holistic view of the town centre, and shape the long‑term plan properly through a refreshed Masterplan."

The refreshed Masterplan will provide a structured opportunity to work with residents, businesses, accessibility groups, the night‑time economy and partner organisations to agree how the town centre should evolve over the coming years, including how pedestrianisation, access, servicing, parking and public space fit together as part of a balanced whole. Proposals such as pedestrianisation will form part of the wider conversation alongside other longer-term aspirations for the town centre.

Councillor Justin Pemberton, Executive Member for Community Engagement, Economic Development and Regeneration, said:

"This is about being clear on direction and ambitious about delivery. The Masterplan refresh allows us to take forward the appetite for a more people‑focused town centre, while designing solutions that work better for businesses, residents and visitors alike. It is a positive step that puts engagement, evidence and long‑term outcomes at the heart of decision‑making."

While the Masterplan refresh is undertaken, pedestrianisation hours will return to the long‑established 10am to 5pm arrangement from September 2026. This provides stability for residents and businesses while the next phase of work is developed transparently and collaboratively.

The proposals to refresh the Newbury Town Centre Masterplan will be considered by the Council's Executive later this month and can be found here. The meeting is open to the public and will be streamed live via the Council's website.

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