Gehl Architects, an urban design consultancy based in Copenhagen has been responsible for the design and layout of the area. Gehl has worked on many international projects including the redevelopment of Dublin docks; Sheffield river front; Melbourne city centre; central Stockholm; Elephant and Castle in South London and the centre of Cape Town.

Over 50,000 slabs of hard wearing granite with a combined weight of over 1000 tonnes have been used in the construction.

The New Road project is designed to create a high quality public space that will boost the economy by encouraging visitors to nearby venues like the Theatre Royal, The Dome and the Royal Pavilion and be sympathetic to the surrounding areas, including Pavilion Gardens, Jubilee Square, the North Laine and The Lanes.

There has been some confusion and dispute about whether or not New Road will be open to traffic. It will be but the layout gives pedestrians equal right of way and it is hoped that it will be closed on occasions for markets, street theatre and other activities.

It is been kept open to traffic as emergency vehicles may need access. Delivery lorries have to make regular stops at the Dome and other New Road businesses. Older people and people with disabilities need access to the theatre entrance. There has never been a high volume of traffic on New Road and it is anticipated it will be even less now the new scheme is in place.

Vehicles can only enter New Road from its Church Street entrance, effectively making the street one way. However cyclists will be able to access New Road from both Church Street and North Street.