Page 6 - Redditch New Town Centre Success or Failure

Redditch Heritage Redditch New Town, Success or Failure?

A Contemporary Environment

Redditch has never been remarkable for its historic buildings, nor for its standard

of townscape and it was therefore with something of a clean slate that the
Corporation started. There was, however, a mature and attractive landscape and
the Corporation are particularly pleased with the outcome of the endeavours to
retain and enhance this aspect of the environment. Landscape works have not
only won many awards in their own right but the early efforts now provide a
mature and attractive setting for all the building works.

One of the Corporation's early policies established the low rise nature of family
housing which, together with traditional designs, traditional materials and
retention of trees and hedgerows, has made the town one in which it is attractive
for families to live. In consequence the social and other problems associated with
the 1960s high rise, high density housing and the construction failures of much
industrialised housing have been avoided.

Through the policy of firm site development briefs for every site, it has been
possible to ensure the evolution and coherence of a new townscape within which
only key buildings, such as the spire of St. Stephen's Church, have predominated.

The indigenous species used in new planting, the selection of materials together

with other design principles, such as highway lighting, which have been consist-
ently used throughout the town, have vindicated early concepts on creating a
total environment.

Creating a safe place in which to live has been a keynote of the highway and
pedestrian networks. Although the hierarchy of roads evolved before the oil crisis

of the early 1970s and the subsequent high cost of motoring, nevertheless the
network has provided drivers and pedestrians alike with an exceptional level of
segregation and safety, without congestion.

Our endeavours have not been without some criticism and a view often expressed
that the road system is unintelligible to the residents and visitors alike has been
a continuing disappointment. These criticisms are less frequent now that compre-

hensive road signing works are complete.

It is hoped that the care with which the Corporation planned, created and
maintained planting and open spaces will be treated with the same importance
and priority in the future. so that the town's unique environment can be exploited
to the full. This will require not only the resources but the will of the Town.

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