South Gloucestershire Council has secured substantial funding for investment in Kingswood and want to hear people’s views to ensure that the future of the town reflects the values and priorities of its people.

South Gloucestershire Council has secured substantial funding for investment in Kingswood and want to hear people’s views to ensure that the future of the town reflects the values and priorities of its people.

The Kingswood’s Masterplan, published in May 2022, highlighted six areas of focus for investment regeneration:

• Boosting the local economy
• Transforming the high street into a vibrant, accessible community hub
• Improving air quality
• Encouraging active travel
• Supporting local jobs
• Preserving Kingswood’s heritage buildings.

During November and December, the council is asking people to share their views on several individual projects, which have potential to kick-start transformational change for the town.

Active Travel – Kingswood Town Centre Links

The council is asking people to share their views on plans to make it easier and safer to get around Kingswood on foot and by bike with improvements to existing walking and cycling routes such as connecting Bristol City Council’s Wesley Way cycle route and adding new pedestrian crossing points at busy junctions.

Regent Street

Kingswood high street is home to a range of shops, community facilities and businesses. It also has a long and proud history of hosting events which brought the community together. But today, like many towns, it also has its issues with empty shops, graffiti and anti-social behaviour.

The council is asking people share what they value most about the high street and proposals to invest in the town to bring change to the town centre such as reducing traffic, improving accessibility of the high street, making it greener and, improving shop frontages.

Councillor Leigh Ingham, cabinet member responsible for communities and local place at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “Kingswood’s history is something to be cherished and celebrated. Our investment in the town, through the restoration of the Tabernacle, improvements to Kings Chase shopping centre and these two new projects aim to protect and restore the town’s heritage while positioning Kingswood for a brighter future. We want people to be proud of the work we’re going to do in Kingswood and I encourage local people and those that visit the area to share their views during the upcoming 8-week engagement period to shape Kingswood’s future.”

For more information, to find out about engagement events and to share your views, please visit the website: https://kingswoodregeneration.commonplace.is/