Some of our online payments including garden waste and licensing will be unavailable from 2pm Thursday 28 March until midday Tuesday 2 April due to essential maintenance.

Our programme of investment into Thornbury will support a sustainable town centre that is fit for the future, improve air quality, make it easier for people to walk and cycle to and from the high street, and improve parking for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Securing the future of Thornbury High Street is key to:

  • supporting recovery from the pandemic
  • embracing opportunities from active travel
  • supporting local jobs
  • boosting the economy
  • making the high street a central, attractive, accessible place for the whole community

Throughout this process we are working closely with stakeholders including residents, businesses, Thornbury Town Council, and new groups such as our equalities representatives, to develop a high street that is fit for the future.

The vision is for Thornbury High Street to:

  • be welcoming for all
  • provide retail, residential, leisure and culture that encourages people to explore and stay longer
  • support walking and cycling
  • have one-way motorised vehicle access including buses
  • support economic activity
  • be accessible for those with disabilities

Read answers to frequently asked questions about the Thornbury investment plan.

Updates will also be posted on our Facebook and Twitter accounts and through Nextdoor.

Project news

Release of high street design

The final design and plan for Thornbury High Street has been shaped by feedback from businesses, residents, organisations, and other stakeholders, to deliver a sustainable high street that is fit for the future.

Find out more about our investment in Thornbury High Street including the project timeline, how we engaged with the community to shape the design and what the high street will look like when construction is complete.

View the layout design and artist’s impression of the high street:

Street furniture map

Parking map

Technical drawings

Older project news

Talking to the high street team

In spring 2022 we held 4 face-to-face engagement sessions for people to come and talk to us about the proposals for future investment in Thornbury High Street.

We had 77 visits including representatives from the Christmas lights committee, the chamber of commerce, the residents association and the accessibility and equality group.

We are in ongoing, regular, communication with organisations and individuals including Thornbury Town Partnership, local businesses, the town council, and local councillors.

Traffic Regulation Order

The image below shows the high street following changes for the permanent Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

The new TRO includes the following:

  • no motor vehicles, except for access, between Castle Court and The Close
  • one-way southbound motor vehicles to access the parking/loading/waiting bays
  • cycles can travel in both directions
  • a restricted parking zone (apart from loading only, limited waiting and disabled parking bays)
  • shared use parking – parking for anyone for a limited waiting time (as per the parking signage) or for parking permit holders
  • a 20mph speed limit covering the high street and nearby roads

Buses returning to the high street

Following feedback from the public, businesses and stakeholders, we are planning for buses to return to Thornbury High Street. Discussions are ongoing with bus operators around routes and stopping points.

You can read more on the announcement.

Traffic Regulation Order

On 17 November 2021, a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) was approved following a consultation from 1 September to 25 September. The TRO allows the following access for the high street:

• one way access to the high street for all traffic including busses
• dedicated blue badge parking
• reduction in the speed limit to 20mph
• dedicated waiting bays
• loading and unloading bays
You can view the consultation and report on our consultation website.

Thornbury High Street Equalities Group

This group was established in July 2021 and is made up of local people with disabilities and community groups who work with those who have disabilities. The group have been reviewing the current set up and draft designs to help us ensure the high street is accessible as possible for everyone. For further information about this group email highstreets@southglos.gov.uk.

If you cannot expand the section above, try refreshing your browser.

Project timetable

What is currently happening

  • ongoing communication with stakeholders
  • ongoing support to the businesses on the high street

March 2023 – high street works underway

What has been completed

June 2023 – electric vehicle charging points in Rock Street car park

May 2023 – construction completed in Rock Street car park

October 2022 – Thornbury quilt square drawing competition

August 2022 – Summer Stories in the square and treasure hunt

August 2022 – St Mary Street car park resurfaced

June 2022 – work on the Highway Improvement Scheme (Rock Street, Midland Way, Bristol Road)

June 2022 – full business case for Thornbury High Street published
information gathering from high street businesses

July 2022 – full business case approved by WECA Joint Committee

March 2022 – full business case sent to WECA

March 2022 – work completed on the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) roadworks for the high street and surrounding area. Read the TRO.

February 2022 – inclusion of this funding into the council’s budget was given unanimous cross-party approval by South Gloucestershire Council during the Full Council meeting

28 January 2022 – £4.577 million of funding secured from the Economic Development Fund to progress the vision for the future of the high street

December 2021 – Christmas high street campaign

19 November 2021 – £4.5million bid submitted to WECA for consideration

17 November 2021 – Traffic Regulation Order approved view the consultation and report.

1 September to 25 September 2021 – consultation on the proposed Traffic Regulation Order

28 July 2021 – Experimental Traffic Regulation Order

24 July to 18 September 2021 – bee trail to support activity across South Gloucestershire high streets

14 July 2021 – establish an equalities group

7 June 2021 – high streets vision approved by Cabinet read the report.

March 2021 – electric vehicle charging points in St Mary’s Street car park

8 June 2020 – Emergency Traffic Regulation Order

If you cannot expand the section above, try refreshing your browser.

Further information

If you have any questions or if you would like further information, email highstreets@southglos.gov.uk.

Find out more about the traders on Thornbury High Street.

Beta This is our beta website