Public Realm
The quality of streets and public spaces in St. George’s is crucial to the creation of a successful and vibrant quarter. At present poor pedestrian crossings, narrow pavements and a lack of public open spaces creates a hostile environment for pedestrians and cyclists. Enhancing existing routes and creating a series of linked spaces will help to encourage walking and cycling. A number of centres of activity within St. George’s will ensure that these spaces are well used. The following improvements to the public realm will be sought:
6.1 Enhancement of Existing Routes
Development should facilite greater mobility for disabled people and accordingly developers should follow the access and mobility guidelines set out in the City Council’s SPG ‘‘Paving the Way.’’
A) Wharf Street
Wharf Street provides a key spinal route that connects locally, St. George’s South with St. George’s North and globally with the City Centre and outerlying residential areas. Providing wider pavements, traffic calming and other pedestrian improvements will help to increase pedestrian flow and provide a link with St. Matthew’s, a main residential area of the City.
B) Rutland Street
Improvements are required at the junction with Charles Street by providing improved at grade pedestrian crossings.
C) Queen Street/Southampton Street
These streets are currently one way and have narrow pavements. Opportunities exist to widen the pavements and create a link at the rear of the former Odeon that is well overlooked by surrounding development.
D) St. George’s Way/St. Matthew’s Way
The Central Ring Road should be humanised wherever possible by making it less of a barrier to pedestrian movement with the use of structure landscaping.
E) Belgrave Gate
Opportunities exist to provide on street parking. The planting of street trees would help to soften this gateway to the City Centre.
F) Charles Street
In line with the City Centre Action Programme, the opportunity exists to transform the southern section of Charles Street into a tree-lined boulevard.
G) Links to the Railway Station
At present the environment surrounding the Railway Station is not of a high quality. The subway which links the Railway Station with Granby Street gives a poor first impression of the City. Preference needs to be given to the provision of an improved surface level pedestrian crossing at the junction of Granby Street and the Central Ring Road. Traffic speeds on the Central Ring Road need to be reduced and signals should provide improved priority for pedestrians. Changes in surface materials would help orientate people towards the City Centre and St. George’s.
6.2 Public Spaces
H) Humberstone Gate East
Pedestrian improvements to Humberstone Gate East and a shared surface crossing at the junction with Charles Street will help to reduce a barrier to pedestrian movement. A prime design consideration for this space is the provision of bus pick up and drop off points..
I) Lee Circle
Within St. George’s North there is a lack of open space. Comprehensive redevelopment of Lee Circle would provide the opportunity to create a new public space that is linked to Charles Street and the Haymarket Bus Station.
J) St. George’s Churchyard
New development should encourage greater use of the churchyard as a public open space. The public open space on George Street should be considered at the same time to provide a comprehensive scheme.
K) Rutland Street/Queen Street
The junction of Rutland Street/Queen Street will provide an important centre of activity within St. George’s South. Creation of a space with pedestrian priority will be sought.
L) Fox Street
As part of a comprehensive redevelopment of the Midland Mainline car park on Fox Street opportunities exist to provide a public transport interchange and a new open space adjacent to the railway station.
M) Queen Street/George Street
By providing improvements at this junction in connection with new active uses onto this space it will help reinforce Queen Street as an important pedestrian route
