The Masterplan aims to achieve a good balance between buildings and open space; it is right that sizeable new public spaces are re-incorporated into the area, but these will only function properly if they are framed and enclosed by quality new buildings of appropriate scale and height. There will also be a healthy balance between hard and soft landscaping in these spaces so that they can accommodate a variety of different uses.

Although a grid iron pattern of streets is proposed for the Waterfront, a considerable amount of visual variety has been sought by making that grid respond to the characteristics of the area. The overall effect is that no one street or space will be identical to any other, thus encouraging diversity and local identity while also forming viable development sites.

A number of new landmark features are proposed at prominent locations which will both bring added visual interest to the area and create a series of dramatic views and vistas through and within the waterfront. The cumulative effect will create a real sense of dramatic arrival for travellers entering the city from all directions and modes of transport.

The masterplan’s objective is to tame the negative environmental effects that the existing roads and ramps have on the area, but at the same time to allow for necessary vehicular access and through traffic.

The proposed way of doing this will be to create a pair of matched east/west boulevards which will carry external traffic through the area and channel the bridge traffic in and out of the City Centre. The bridge ramps themselves will be reconstructed to create a more compact and direct connection with the new road pattern.

Within this basic pattern, smaller access streets will be formed to service the area and its associated new uses. Together this hierarchy of roads will create a much more understandable street pattern for residents and visitors alike.

Pedestrian movement will be facilitated by the provision of light controlled crossing points at each junction in order to cater for the key desire lines from the city centre to the waterfront.

A dedicated public transport corridor has been retained along the line of the existing route along Dock Street. This will ensure that easy bus access is maintained within the city centre while also easily serving the new Central Waterfront developments.