A MAJOR facelift for the centre of a Suffolk town, including the creation of a town square, could be about to get the green light.Negotiations are being finalised with Pubmaster and Somerfield Stores Ltd over the square in Saxmundham, but it is unlikely the project will start before the autumn at the earliest.
By Jessica Nicholls
A MAJOR facelift for the centre of a Suffolk town, including the creation of a town square, could be about to get the green light.
Negotiations are being finalised with Pubmaster and Somerfield Stores Ltd over the square in Saxmundham, but it is unlikely the project will start before the autumn at the earliest.
The square, which would lie in the area between the White Hart pub and the Somerfield store, could be called Fromus Square, taken from the name of the local river. The new civic space would also have seating, trees and more landscaping.
Other improvements are planned to the Market Place and the entrance to the Market Place car park, with work expected to start there in early July.
Suffolk Coastal Council's cabinet, which meets tomorrow will also be told of plans for improved pedestrian links in the town and a proposed footway linking the town centre to the railway station.
In order to create the station footway, the council would have to acquire a small strip of land from a landowner and negotiations are ongoing over that.
The series of proposals would be supported by a variety of funding schemes providing just over £200,000, including the Single Regeneration Budget, Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme and the Local Transport Plan.
The cabinet has been asked to back the projects, which have been recommended by council officials.
The proposals for the Market Place include measures to reduce traffic speeds and make the area more pedestrian-friendly and a new seating area beside the car park.
A seating area has also been proposed for outside the Bell Hotel and improved signage by the White Hart pub.
Plans for Chantry Road, High Street, Church Street and South Entrance include new footways and improved pedestrian crossings.
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