Ambitious plans to improve Market Place in Westbury are on schedule, with work expected to start next year.

The project has been led by the District Council, working in partnership with the town and county councils. Using money from the Five Towns Initiative, Mouchel Parkman was commissioned to design a scheme that makes Market Place more pedestrian friendly, whilst improving the setting for the surrounding historic buildings.

Regeneration projects manager Adam Nardell explained: "The Vision for Westbury exercise in 2004 showed that Market Place is not used to its full potential. We need to improve how it links with the rest of the town centre, while enhancing the whole area for the benefit of those who live and work there. This is the first phase of a long term regeneration plan for Westbury - we hope to be able to do similar work in Maristow Street, Edward Street and High Street in the future."

The Mouchel Parkman proposals were subject to public consultation between June and October - a mailshot was sent to all local residents, and a public display was held in the Laverton during the summer. The plans were refined throughout the process, and the consultation ended with the final scheme being tested on local focus groups.

It is hoped to secure county council funding for the improvements in the 2008/09 financial year, with work starting as soon as possible after April.

11:56am Tuesday 11th December 2007

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