The new Brutalism - Trust Annual Report 1975
Brutalism is an apt description given to buildings which are aggressive and overbearing in their surroundings. The new multi-storey car park can be so described. Of its kind it is not without merit, but for Winchester the scale is inevitably too large, having a lowering effect on the neighbourhood, which is unfortunate when combined with the sensible policy of bringing back more homes to the city centre. Conceding that a multi-storey car park may be necessary, was this the best site?
Another example of brutalism is provided by the disastrous effect of the western distributer road. Most of us remember the two delightful country roads, the A34 leading to Compton and the A31 leading to Pitt, both now savagely interrupted by huge roundabouts. These of course are very minor incidents if compared with what a motorway would do to the valley, and should he a valuable corrective for those who maintain that the M3 would hardly be noticed.
It will be remembered that the western distributor road has been on the shelf for many years. When at last approval was given for the scheme, it was taken down, dusted and put into operation without further consideration. The layout can now be considered very extravagant and old fashioned. While the massive, earth moving operation was in progress on this minor link road, the main trunk road to Newbury was also having two roundabouts made at Sutton Scotney, where the A30 and the A34 cross. All that was required here was a pot of white paint used to draw circles on the existing roads. It seems to work very well and is obviously very economical.
Environmentally the road has retained something of its Hampshire character, while the anonymous gyratory at Pitt, requiring the wanton destruction of a whole wood, might now be a road leading to a trading estate anywhere in the country. This process is known as landscaping when a few trees are added.