Voted by the public as one of Britain's worst streets in 2002, Nottingham's Maid Marian Way has since been transformed into a pedestrian-friendly area.
Pedestrian subways under busy roads on the edge of city centres are a common legacy from the 1960s and 70s. In Nottingham, Maid Marian Way was turned into an inner-city dual carriageway in 1964. The intersection with Friar Lane was turned into a roundabout with a sunken plaza, which linked four pedestrian subways each served by stairways and ramps. There are similar examples in many other UK towns and cities.
In 1989, a review of planning policy for Nottingham city centre highlighted a number of essential measures to retain the city’s competitive position for retail, business and tourism - including overcoming the barrier effect of Maid Marian Way. Consideration was given to sinking the road into a tunnel, but this was discounted on financial grounds.
Remodelling of the dual carriageway and the inclusion of wide pedestrian crossings has restored a direct visual and psychological link across the busy road. Large areas of additional public space have been won back in the process, creating generous pavements and areas of planting.
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