The vision in the SPD:
“Wychavon Town will be a place where most journeys can be made by active and sustainable modes, where people can be healthy and active, and places are not dominated by cars. This vision will be achieved through a coordinated movement framework which enables and promotes sustainable movement through the creation of walkable and safe neighbourhoods, an accessible railway station, town centre, schools, and local hubs which enable travel choice, through the use of new and repurposed transport infrastructure.”
Movement Framework
- A new all-modes bridge over the Birmingham-Gloucester (BAG)/ Cross Country railway line.
- Repurposing the existing B4084 bridge over the BAG line for active travel and public transport.
- A new active travel underpass under the Cotswold railway line.
- A new ‘Western Gateway’ junction adjacent M5 Junction 7 to mark the transition into the new town
- ‘Pershore Boulevard’ along the current B4084 between the M5 and around the new town centre.
- A new Stoulton Bypass, to direct Wychavon Town traffic away from Stoulton.
- A new A44 Link Road to connect the new town centre and eastern neighbourhoods to the A44.
4. Concept Design Proposals
The concept design establishes the form and function of movement corridors including key junctions and crossings.
We have arrived at the preferred design after considering a wide range of options and road alignments in each neighbourhood. These have been tested for:
- How they fit with the SPD and movement strategy
Impacts on the landscape, environment and local communities - Safety and efficiency
- How they might be delivered
- How they relate to the development proposals
An initial view on traffic modelling has formed part of the consideration and further modelling will be available at the next stage of design.
Key Design Components
Across the route, a series of key design features and nodes have been developed to support movement and placemaking.
The gateway is key to enabling early phases of the Town and establishing it’s character and function.
A new gateway junction east of the M5 will provide access into the developments to the north and south and into the Town. The design aims to manage traffic efficiently while also establishing a strong sense of arrival.
A traffic signalised junction is proposed as early indications from traffic modelling show that this will manage traffic better, however a roundabout also under consideration if it is found that this is preferred.
Pershore Boulevard
At the heart of the proposals is the transformation of the existing B4084 into Pershore Boulevard, a key multi-modal corridor forming part of the town’s primary movement spine. The boulevard will:
- Introduce the segregation of different forms of movement.
- Provide dedicated space for bus services.
- Maintain access to existing properties while providing connections to new homes, employment areas and community facilities.
- Prioritise walking, cycling and public transport.
- Maintain existing trees and hedges and incorporate new tree planting, SuDS, landscape buffers and high-quality public realm.
- Be delivered early to support travel choice for existing and new residents.
This approach supports the creation of streets that function as both movement corridors and engaging public places.
Woodbury Lane will remain open for vehicles. The new corridor will include a junction at the northern end linking Woodbury Lane to the B4084, the town centre and the A44 link. Public transport will use the existing road, providing a direct access to Parkway Station.
The design reflects the SPD vision for a compact, walkable and well-connected centre, where movement, activity and public life are closely integrated.
Key Connections include:
- A new bridge linking both sides of the railway for all forms of transport
- Improved bus priority on connections to Worcestershire Parkway Station with the existing bridge for buses and active travel
- Access through and around the town centre linking the southern, eastern and western neighbourhoods
- Direct walking, cycling and public transport routes into the centre
The town centre aims to provide:
- Low-speed streets, supporting safe and people focused movement
- A high street and public square, connected to streets designed as engaging spaces
- Prioritised walking and cycling with direct continuous routes
- Tree planting, landscaping and integrated green and blue infrastructure and prioritisation of quality of place and materials.
A new underpass of the Cotswold rail line is proposed to improve vehicle access through here and incorporate a high-quality active travel route.
South of the underpass, the segregated cycleway and footway to serve the neighbourhoods is designed to the east of the existing hedgerow, enabling the hedgerow to be retained. New walking and cycling routes through the southern neighbourhoods will be designed and come forwards as part of the development parcels and their own planning applications.
Stoulton Bypass
The Stoulton Bypass is a proposed diversion of the existing B4084 around the village of Stoulton with the objective of reducing the existing and future impact of the development on the historic settlement by diverting the main flow of traffic away from it.
It is proposed that the speed limit will be reduced from the national speed limit to 40mph from the south of Stoulton to a proposed roundabout, with the rest of the link being 30mph towards the Southern Boulevard.
The roundabout will serve development in the southern neighbourhoods.
This new road will take the existing traffic from Wadborough Road away from Stoulton village. Instead, the old road will be used for walking and cycling for new and existing residents. This change will not take place until the new road is in place and open.
We are looking at whether it would be appropriate to introduce a speed reduction to 20mph through Stoulton village.
