CIVIC chiefs will not build a new bypass, nor introduce charging zones under a major transport strategy.

It comes as the Winchester Movement Strategy, which sets out the future vision for getting around the city, was approved by city councillors.

The document, which was debated by the overview and scrutiny committee last week, before being rubber-stamped by cabinet members on Monday, includes plans to:

  • increase capacity for park and ride services;
  • give buses priority over cars through measures such as bus gates in Southgate Street and Chesil Street, and bus lanes in Andover Road;
  • consolidate parking in larger out-of-city-centre car parks rather than increasing city centre spaces;
  • enhance cycling and pedestrian routes across the city with a “reallocation of road space along the full length of North Walls”;
  • change parts of the one-way system.

However, following a consultation over the draft document, produced with Hampshire County Council, plans for a western bypass and the introduction of charging zones were dropped.

That came after a call from South Wonston resident David Cox for the city council to be bold. Addressing the overview and scrutiny committee over the prospect of a western bypass, he said: “Can we really expect junction nine (of the M3 at Winnall) to cope for the next 20 to 30 years? Now is the time to be bold.”

However, Hampshire County Council officer Andy Shaw said the amount of city centre traffic using a bypass would be “quite low”.

During a public consultation on the draft movement strategy, the support for the bypass and charging zones was not deemed acceptable, with only 59 per cent and 46 per cent either agreeing or strongly agreeing with the plans, respectively.

As previously reported, the idea of a western bypass was supported by the City of Winchester Trust who, following the consultation into the movement strategy, released its vision for the city.

The trust wanted to see a new green belt around the south and west of the city, a western bypass to divert traffic from the city centre, fewer car parks in the centre and a boost for public transport including new train stations at Kings Worthy and St Cross.

In the short term, £500,000 has been set aside for the strategy, which will go towards implementing bus priority measures, increasing park and ride capacity to up to 3,000 spaces and improving cycling and pedestrian spaces in the city.

During the committee meeting, both ruling Conservative and opposition Liberal Democrat councillors supported the Strategy. Lib Dem councillor Martin Tod said: “I think this is an excellent document. My view would be let’s agree this, let’s get behind this and let’s unblock all of the projects that have been held up by the movement strategy.”

Conservative councillor Patricia Stallard added: “What you are proposing here will have a significant effect on air quality in the city. That’s a significant contribution you are making.”

County chiefs will now consider the strategy document.