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New look Commercial Road and Edinburgh Road
The council is planning to improve the Commercial Road area to offer shoppers and visitors a better environment. The intention is for the work to be completed at around the same time as the Northern Quarter development centred on the old Tricorn site.
The improvements cover Commercial Road precinct, the southern part of Commercial Road, the proposed new site of the market, and the eastern end of Edinburgh Road. They will blend with the Northern Quarter design as much as possible.
The latest designs, shown here (and see link below), will give the area a better look and feel, and make it more pedestrian-friendly.
A major proposal is a new public performance and meeting space at the junction of Commercial Road and Edinburgh Road, which could have a decorative canopy above it, used for projecting images and film.
Another proposed feature is decorative 'tramlines' on the ground, possibly with inlaid lighting, inspired by the area's history. The hi-tech lighting could even be changed on demand, by texting a special number.
The city market would get a new home in southern Commercial Road and eastern Edinburgh Road, with new stalls and improved facilities, making it even more of a focal point. On days when the usual market did not operate, there could be other events or markets.
Modern, simple materials that will stand up to wear and tear are being proposed for seating, litter bins, other street furniture and paving. Lighting will be attached to buildings wherever possible, avoiding the clutter of lampposts.
Some trees will be replaced with better specimens, but the number of trees will stay the same.
We are proposing to allow cycling outside main shopping hours. Cycle parking is planned for areas such as the corner of Station Street and Commercial Road, Crasswell Street, and Edinburgh Road.
These city centre improvements are being jointly funded by the council and the Northern Quarter development, which will include new John Lewis and M&S stores, new homes, leisure facilities, a hotel and parking. It is intended that the city centre improvements will harmonise with the landscape design of the Northern Quarter.
Cllr Mike Hancock, the council's Executive Member for Planning, Regeneration and Economic Development, said: "Our plans for Commercial Road and nearby areas are coming along well and there are some very exciting ideas.
"Portsmouth city centre is heading for a transformation into one of the country's top retail areas, and these improvements will play a major part in that.
"Along with our other main shopping areas, Southsea and Gunwharf Quays, we'll have a fantastic shopping environment for residents and visitors."
For more details see the PDF below.
If you have questions or comments about the designs, please email citycentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Associated documents:
Proposed city centre improvements (0.94 MB)
