Residents had their say on shaping Trowbridge’s future when a masterplan for the town was displayed on Saturday.

The consultation event, held at County Hall, allowed the public to meet representatives from Wiltshire Council and Transforming Trowbridge to discuss the draft plans for the centre of Wiltshire’s county town.

The document pinpoints areas of improvement in retail, housing and leisure for the town.

Wiltshire Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe, cabinet member for economy, skills and transport, said: “The exhibition has been well attended and we have received some really positive feedback from people welcoming the proposals to regenerate sites and bring investment into the town.

“With the opening of the St Stephen’s Place leisure park, people can see the benefits developments can bring to the town. The masterplan aims to build on this success and help us shape the future development of the town centre in a way that complements the historic core and enhances the vitality of the town.”

Trowbridge Town Council is pleased that the plans also address access issues which aim to make it easier for people to get around the town centre.

Wiltshire and Trowbridge Town Councillor John Knight said: “Access and pedestrian movement are key to the plans.”

Those who didn’t have a chance to attend the consultation have until December 9 to give their feedback on the document.

Harry Hilliard, Transforming Trowbridge chairman, said: “The masterplan seeks to ensure that the town is a vibrant, attractive, family friendly place that meets the needs of residents and businesses now and in the future.”

The plan's key points are:

  • County Hall East Wing (former library) – land used for mixed use development, to consolidate car parking facilities and to allow a new east-west pedestrian and cycle route across the River Biss.
  • Court Street car park – shops could be built on all this site or it could be used for part shops/part housing.
  • Town Bridge/Wicker Hill – create a new pedestrian and cycle route on the western edge of the River Biss.
  • Asda and The Shires –improve pedestrian links between the town centre, Trowbridge Train Station and The Gateway shopping centre.
  • Cradle Bridge (Peter Black) – create development to complement St Stephen’s Place, extend pedestrian routes across both sides of the River Biss and work in tandem with East Wing and Court Street improvements.

View the draft consultation at www.transformingtrowbridge.org.uk, or at County Hall, 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.