NEUBAU is involved with two Initiatives on the Mill Road, 1. the Concept Design & Construction of the Mill Road Summer ’19 Parklets installation, and 2. the Mill Road Vision, inviting the Public to discuss Conceptual and Logistical Proposals by a Collective of Architects and Designers to discuss potential solutions for Mill Road’s pedestrian and vehicular infrastructure.

The Mill Road Bridge Closure necessary due to Rail Infrastructure Expansion during the summer of 2019 prompted an initiative driven by Cllr Dave Baigent and CamCycle, inviting ideas for a Street ‘Takeover’ on the Romsey side, taking the form of an installation – The Parklet constructed was positively received and adopted by the public for gatherings throughout the Summer.

This led to further investigations of Mill Road as a Retail and Entertainment Destination, with a heavily trafficked, fairly tight Main Road running alongside a diverse range of independent shops. What followed were design and conceptual initiatives from the different interest groups involved, which lead to a Public Forum. Notions of footfall and cycling in favour of vehicular accessibility were also discussed.

The meetings prompted In-house Design Workshops, the Outcome of which was tested, first internally, then presented to the Local Public in a Forum. Interest was high both from the public and local independent shops, with mixed feelings about the road closure and ensuing loss of consumer footfall, and a strong sentiment that the general lack of parking, insufficient traffic control and lack of secure pedestrian infrastructure were key points that require addressing, with a Vision /Strategy spanning both the Petersfield and Romsey boroughs.