Beginning with a strategic urban design study of the whole town by the Civic Trust Regeneration Unit, the project considered the basic 'force lines' of activity, as well as the more standard aspects of townscape analysis - patterns of circulation, landmarks, views and gateways.
Early discussions with market traders confirmed that traditional patterns of movement had gradually shifted away from the Historic Market Place. This has now become a focus for tourists, civic activities and community events, while a car park on the new 'energy line' of retail activity has become a centre for market trading. At the heart of the town, the slopes of the historic square are stepped to form an enclosed events space. The surrounding low walls have been carved with local market scenes using images and text contributed by local school children. Throughout the town centre pavements have been renewed and widened, the traffic flows altered, roads narrowed and pinch points developed to give priority to pedestrian circulation.
