Winchester Station Area Masterplan

Technical details

Client

Winchester City Council

Dates

2022-2023

Missions

Development Consultant

Location

Winchester, England

Partners

Howarth Tomkins Architects

Perimeter

Development Planning, Urban Design & Masterplanning

Activity

Cities & Urban Mobility

Creating Accessibility

SYSTRA was commissioned by Winchester City Council in 2022, as part of a multidisciplinary team including RIBA Sterling Prize winning architects Haworth Tompkins, for transport and highways input in support of the redevelopment proposals for the Station Approach area, forming part of a masterplan to guide future growth and development in the city centre. The Site’s location offers strong connections by foot, cycle and public transport, providing a high degree of accessibility to the city’s facilities and amenities.

The proposals focus on significant urban design, public realm and pedestrian environment enhancements, incorporating the removal of excessive car parking provision and the phased construction of multiple sustainable mixed-use developments. The proposed development is designed from the outset to encourage modal shift away from single occupancy vehicle trips in favour of trips by active travel and public transport.

Evaluating the Options

Working in collaboration with Haworth Tomkins and the client, as well as Network Rail and London & Continental Railways as key stakeholders, SYSTRA produced a Transport Assessment to assess the transport impacts for multiple options of the proposed development and urban realm improvements.

This required analysis of the existing sites to establish an understanding of the current operations and constraints of each site, followed by a multi-modal trip generation exercise taking into account the varying quantum and scope for each option. SYSTRA also assessed the integration of each option and urban realm improvements with regards to the existing transport networks covering the Station Approach area, in line with the vision outlined within the council’s Movement Strategy.

The study evaluated market conditions, demand, costs, stakeholder aspirations, council priorities and planning rules, determining which types of development could be taken forward. The study looked into four sites adjacent to the station including Carfax, Cattle Market, Station East and Station West.

The study found that both Carfax and Cattle Market could provide ‘a mix of commercial workspaces including ancillary food and beverage provision, student accommodation and a multi-storey car park’.