Page 5 - RNT-C09

The HISTORY of REDDITCH New Town

Open Spaces & the Environment - The Legacy…..

● Redditch is recognised today as one of the Greenest towns in the country thanks to the
foresight and tree-planting of the New Town development.

● Most, if not all new town estates can be reached on foot without crossing a main road. These
paths and walkway are largely tree and shrub lined retaining most of the original hedge rows
from the former countryside on which the town is built.

● Existing areas of woodland, such as Oakenshaw Spinney, offer today a sanctuary for wild life
and provide tranquil and interesting areas to walk, bring children or just to relax.

● Pedestrians and traffic separation has been achieved by the network of paths and cycle ways
with many underpasses.

● Parking facilities have been provided at all major parks, woods and open spaces to enable
them to be reached easily by car and explored on foot.

● Via underpasses and walkways you can reach most areas but modern life traits such as
vandalism, graffiti and possible drug & substance abuse can make such areas frightening
after dark.

● Human nature is such that a direct route across a main road rather than an extra two minutes
via a subway is taken en route to the fast food outlets.

● The clear mission and resources of the Development Corporation are not necessarily matched
by the economic and commercial constraints imposed on the Borough Council responsible
for post New Town developments leading to a watering down of some development standards.

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