Proposals being developed to increase footfall in Usk through improved street environment

Monmouthshire County Council has appointed Roberts Limbrick Architects and Urban Designers and Chris Jones Regeneration to develop proposals for Bridge Street and Twyn Square in Usk.

As part of the Usk and Woodside Masterplan, Monmouthshire County Council is working with Usk Town Council to develop proposals. The proposals will be informed by a consultation with businesses, residents and other stakeholders. More information about how to get involved in the consultation will be made available this winter. 

Funding for the work has been provided by the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, Monmouthshire County Council and Usk Town Council.

In Bridge Street, the goal is to create an environment which shifts the priority to pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists, with a safer, more comfortable and attractive streetscape supporting a wide range of activity and helping increase footfall. 

Twyn Square will be transformed into a vibrant, attractive public space and active travel hub for the local community and visitors to Usk – with space for businesses to spill out and for events and temporary use. 

Initial design proposals for Bridge Street and Twyn Square are expected to be complete by spring 2024. With initial proposals being used to support funding applications for detailed design and construction in the future.

Monmouthshire County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, Cllr Paul Griffiths, said: “Usk is a beautiful place with a thriving community. I look forward to seeing proposals for the town that give people who are walking, wheeling or cycling more opportunity to enjoy the lovely setting.

“This has great potential for businesses in Usk, with the opportunity to welcome more local people to benefit from the range of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs in the area.”

Cllr Steve O’Brien, Mayor of Usk added: “By creating a more inviting and vibrant atmosphere, we can attract both locals and visitors alike to explore the unique charm and offerings Usk has to offer. With careful consideration and creative ideas, we can transform our streets into welcoming spaces that will not only benefit our local businesses but also create a sense of pride and community for everyone”.

A spokesperson for Roberts Limbrick said: “We are delighted to be working with Monmouthshire County Council and Usk Town Council on this exciting and important project.”

“There is a real opportunity here to enhance and celebrate the character and ‘the sense of Usk’. Our brief is to redress the balance of space given over to traffic at the expense of space for people.

“This is perfectly illustrated in Twyn Square where our early analysis has shown that almost 80% of the space in the square is clearly not for people. We are really excited about what Twyn Square could become in the future. Due to its physical dimensions and constraints, Bridge Street will be more of a challenge, but one that we are very much looking forward to.”

For more information or to be added to a mailing list for consultation on these proposals, contact: mccregeneration@monmouthshire.gov.uk