Research Services
Case study: Kettering Town Centre
Northamptonshire County Council commissioned Research and Marketing Plus to conduct research into the opinions of all those affected by the introduction of a traffic movement scheme in Kettering Town Centre.
This required running three different approaches simultaneously in order to target different people within the community and obtain a representative view of the traffic scheme.
Telephone Research This was used to obtain the views of those living in and around Kettering. The area was divided into nine geographical zones and a representative sample of 1,000 interviews were conducted. Data was analysed both overall and by zone to establish if there was a geographical effect.
Face-to-Face Research This was used to obtain the views of Town Centre users regardless of where they lived. 500 street interviews were conducted at various locations and on different days and times of the week.
Postal Survey Companies were contacted through a postal survey which enabled us to assess how business had been affected by the scheme.
Data was collated from all three surveys and the findings drawn together in an overall report. The results of the survey were presented to the Council and subsequently to the public in two council meetings.
"This was a controversial and complex review process which required sensitive handling but robust surveys to achieve a satisfactory conclusion. I want to thank you for your excellent work in the research you undertook and the presentation of the results to Forum members. Your professionalism and the quality of the work undoubtedly contributed to the successful conclusion of this project."
Robin Hodsdon
Head of Highway Services