Approved plan to turn West Street from one-way to two-way

The plans, approved by Test Valley Borough Council, include moving the southbound carriageway of the Western Avenue gyratory next to the northbound carriageway to clear space for the riverside park near the River Anton has led to backlash from Chantry Lodge and Portland Grove residents.

The site covers 2.93 hectares, including the southbound carriageway of the Western Avenue gyratory, existing landscaped areas within the gyratory, and sections of adopted highways on West Street, Western Avenue, and Waterloo Court.

West Street will be widened to handle two-way traffic, while the bus station will be improved for easier bus turnarounds, with buses exiting via the northern part of West Street to a new signalised junction on Western Avenue.

Chantry Lodge residents who are against the proposed plans. (Image: Daniel Quina Brito)

Angela Morris, Chairman of the Chantry Lodge Residents' Association, said: "Changing this into a two-way street is something which we consider to be exceedingly dangerous and really not to the benefit of the wider community.

"The community's only growing, and suddenly we will have to build a whole load more houses, which subsequently means we're going to get a whole load more traffic, and if the traffic can't always cope now, how on earth is it going to cope when they stop off southbound Western Avenue, and also make this two way, with no way through.

"Therefore, the impacts on the emergency services will be that it will take them longer to get to people in this area, but also, it will be harder for them to do so as there is no space."

Further concerns about the community were made by other residents within the Chantry Lodge.

Ann Truss, a resident at Chantry Lodge, said: "The object of these plans is to bring people into the Town Centre, so easy access is required, but the Riverside Walk takes people out of town, whereas investment is needed to bring people into town.

"Test Valley Borough Council advised that Andover is a fast-growing market town with a population forecast to grow from 48,000 to 60,000 by 2031, but planning to reduce the dual carriageway to single lane traffic in each direction despite knowing there will be an additional 20% more cars.

"Two-way traffic in West Street presents a danger to the less mobile and to students from the Sixth Form College which is due to expand numbers.

"Students look at their phones instead of paying attention to traffic when crossing West Street to Lidl, the Chantry Centre and the bus station.

"Pollution and noise will inevitably increase, and increased costs of maintenance of the park compared to the current situation, quite apart from the capital cost of the scheme."

Roger Edgells, a former strategic planner in local and central government, as well as a resident at Chantry Lodge, created an alternate plan which is believed to have considerably lower initial capital cost and ongoing maintenance requirements.

Roger Edgells proposed alternate plans. (Image: Roger Edgells)

Mr Edgells said: "We see the students from the Sixth Form College flooding out at both sides of the leisure centre, and they cross the road looking at their phones, not paying any attention whatsoever to the traffic.

"I feel that those children will be at risk.

"I created this plan which keeps the one-way system in place and I gave a laminated copy to each counsellor at the meeting and no one from Test Valley Borough Council asked me a question about it and they voted through it instantly."

Residents stated that they felt their concerns regarding the changes were not heard and that the council had not taken into consideration the potential risks that this plan would cause.

Their objections are not directed at the park itself being formed but of the lack in safety that the plans are believed to increase.

Following the approval of the plan, residents have given thought to applying for a judicial review, which they are aware will cost them money, but believe that should they come out successful will bring awareness to the plans problems.

A spokesperson for Test Valley Borough Council said: “Since adopting the Andover masterplan in 2020, following extensive public engagement, Test Valley Borough Council has been working with a team of renowned landscape, highways, and ecological specialists, to deliver on the community’s aspirations for more green space in the town centre.  

Current view of West Street. (Image: Daniel Quina Brito)

"The new riverside park, approved in September 2025, is a direct response to that ambition.

"To create space for new walking and cycling routes, accessible pathways and inviting green areas along the River Anton, the road layout will be reconfigured.

"These changes will also improve connections between the western side of town, the river, Town Mills riverside park and the new venue for The Lights theatre, helping to drive footfall and support local businesses.

"Western Avenue is currently an oversized road that acts as a barrier to the town centre.

"Extensive traffic modelling shows the proposed layout can accommodate vehicles travelling through the area.

"We’ve worked closely with Hampshire County Council, as the highways authority, to ensure the scheme is both safe and future-proof.

"Under the approved plans, the eastern arm of Western Avenue will no longer be open, so West Street will need to change from a one-way to a two-way road.

"We held a number of early engagement sessions with residents living near West Street and Portland Grove prior to submitting the planning application.

"Following feedback, we made adjustments to the proposals, including reducing the speed limit on West Street to 20mph, improving pedestrian crossings, reviewing delivery arrangements for the leisure centre and exploring options for loading bays.

"These adjustments aim to improve safety and accessibility for everyone while protecting the amenity of nearby residents.”

The planning application can be viewed on the Test Valley Borough Council website at 25/01047/FULLN.