A 19th Century market square in the ancient town of Crowle in the Isle of Axholme, North Lincolnshire, has been returned to its roots following detailed design work by transport planner and engineer JMP.

Car parking which dominated the Market Place has been minimised and traffic queuing eliminated, paving the way for a return to a traditional market and space for fairs and other events.

But with a nod to the 21st Century, JMP has introduced a bench controller housing the traffic signal controls, the first time one has been used outside London, which provides seating for people waiting at the nearby bus stop.

The parking has been largely relocated to a nearby acquired site, traffic queuing in the Market Place removed by relocation of a traffic signal shuttle, a new access road provided for additional food, office and retail development adjacent to the square, bus facilities relocated and footpaths widened.

JMP was originally appointed to the masterplan project in 2006 as a sub-consultant to Spawforth Associates, but it rapidly became clear that without major highway works and purchase of property by the Council the space constraints could not be resolved.

Two year later, the council having purchased a local landmark pub and a number of properties, the options for change had increased considerably. JMP as a sub-consultant to Bauman Lyons Architects, provided transport planning advice to the project, with all preliminary designs for highways layout, safety audits, transport assessments, travel plans and flood risk assessments.

Following planning permission JMP undertook the detailed design of the scheme, including drainage and street lighting and provided on-site support to the contractor, Clugston Construction.