Improving Winchester High Street
Latest News 22 April 2009
The maintenance and improvement works are due to start in September 2009. We expect to complete the work towards the end of 2010 with a seven week break for city centre Christmas shopping in 2009.
The work will be done in stages so that only part of the high street is affected at any one time.
The work will involve re-surfacing the high street with natural stone materials in keeping with the city’s historic heritage and replacing street furniture such as benches, sign posts, litterbins and cycle stands.
Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council are working in partnership on the scheme. We have selected the firm of Mildren Construction to help us develop the scheme and keep the High Street open for business during the work.
Read the press release
Background context
Over recent years there has been a perception that the overall appearance of Winchester High Street has declined and that it is not in keeping with the historic image of Winchester.
The County Council ensures that footways are safe by replacing damaged paving slabs. However, the appearance of the paving in the High Street has declined because of:
- excavation work by utility companies
- effects of modern street cleaning methods
- damage caused by vehicles, and
- original paving materials no longer being obtainable.
Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council are working together to prepare proposals to repave the High Street between Jewry Street and the Broadway. with the work scheduled for 2009-2010.
The proposed improvements will provide a durable, safe, and high quality attractive surface in the High Street.
Exhibition - comments received
A public exhibition which included information about the improvement plan was held at Winchester Guildhall on 7 and 8 March 2008. We asked for views and comments on the following questions:
- Did people support the proposed refurbishment of the High Street?
- What other elements (e.g. seating/signing) should be included within the scheme?
Approximately 24 comments were received about the High Street proposals. 15 directly support the idea of improving the poor surface and making the High Street a safer environment for all users.
Funding and scheme management
The repaving scheme will be managed jointly between the County Council and Winchester City Council. The City Council will provide a share of the funding together with advice and support.
Map showing location of proposed improvements
Download map 
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Please tell us what you think
Please send your comments regarding the High Street refurbishment to winchesterhighstreet@hants.gov.uk