Preparing our town centres for the 21st century : what are the key elements of a successful traffic management package.

This paper reports on three town centres with distinct individual characteristics where specific proposals were developed to enhance the environment for all users. These centres are the Strand/Trafalgar Square, Wandsworth Town Centre, London and Aldershot, Hampshire. A multi-disciplinary team of transport planners, traffic engineers and landscape planners tackled the problems in each town centre and prepared a package of proposals encompassing: (1) improved pedestrian crossing facilities; (2) widened footpaths and removal of unnecessary carriageway areas; (3) improved public transport facilities; (4) closure of side road entries; (5) improved cyclist facilities; (6) removal of street clutter and improved signing; (7) improved street furniture; (8) improved facilities for people with mobility handicaps; and (9) improved service access.