WORK has now started on the Melksham Market Place development as part of the £23 million plans for the town's Campus project, much to the joy of the locals.

The closure of the Market Place went into effect on Sunday (January 29) and is estimated to be completed by the summer. Whilst the Market Place is under construction, the local market will be relocating to Church Street car park on Tuesdays and the taxi rank will be moved further up the High Street, next to Lloyds Bank.

Terri Welch, Melksham Town Mayor, said: “The Market Place development has been on the cards for about 10 years now, even really before the Campus was mooted. We started working at the bottom end of the town, fixing the pavements, and by the time we got to the top end West Wiltshire Council was turned into Wiltshire Council and the work was put on hold.”

Although there has been concern from councillors and people in Melksham over the Campus plans, people are now optimistic over the development.

“I have been speaking to the workers and the councillors and everyone seems to be rather positive about it. We now know where to drive to reach Melksham House or the Assembly Hall and it seems to be going well. Everything is tickety boo,” added Cllr Welch.

The works, which were previously believed to begin in September, were pushed back to the start of 2017 as to not interrupt plans in the town.

“There was talk of the works taking between 10 and 12 weeks. It was planned to start in September but we said that it couldn’t happen as it would’ve run over the Christmas light switch on. At the moment it says the development will be finished in summer, but it might happen sooner,” Cllr Welch said.

This stage of the Campus project aims to give the Market Place a facelift as well as providing a pedestrian zone and a new market square. Access to the Melksham House site will also be improved to make way for the Health and Wellbeing Centre.

John Thomson, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for communities and campuses, said: “The Market Place is a focal point for the town and this investment will ensure that continues for many years to come.

“This marks the next phase of the exciting campus development and means the Market Place will be ready for the increased activity that it will bring into that area. We are sure that any short term disruption will be offset by a much improved and attractive town centre when the work is complete.”