Page 15 - RNT-C05

The HISTORY of REDDITCH New Town

Traffic flow predictions were made
during the planning phase of the New
Town. Studies were made via surveys
of the volume and the reasons for
journeys to and from the town.
This data was summarised on this
diagram where the thickness of the line
represents the number of journeys and
the arrow indicates if they were to or
from Redditch.

The diagram shows that in 1961, even
before the announcement of the New
Town, more people were travelling from
Bromsgrove and Alcester to work in the
town than were travelling in the
opposite direction whilst for
Birmingham it was the opposite.
We know that “The Austin” was a big
employer and this may account for this
difference.
It could also be theorised that some of
the Bromsgrove and Alcester (or
Warwickshire) residents may be
attracted to reduce their commuting if
housing and other facilities in Redditch
become more attractive.

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