£200,000 to improve six more shopping parades
News release dated 18 January 2008 about plans to improve six local shopping parades.
Shopping parades and village centres in Salfords, Merstham, Woodhatch, Whitebushes and Walton-on-the Hill are to benefit from a share of £200,000 in the next phase of a scheme to improve villages and shopping parades across the Borough.
“Providing well maintained, viable shopping parades is a priority for the Council." (Cllr Dr Daniel Poulter, Executive Member for Regeneration & Transport)
Reigate & Borough Council’s Executive gave the go-ahead on Thursday (17 January 2008) to six enhancement schemes at:
Nutfield Road, Merstham
Brighton Road, Salfords
South West Parade in Woodhatch
The Brow in Whitebushes and
two stretches of Walton Street in Walton on the Hill (Deans Lane to Meadow Walk and United Reformed Church to number 71).
Proposed enhancements include footway resurfacing; improving accessibility for the disabled and safer pedestrian links; improving or renewing street furniture where required and the removal of unnecessary signs.
Where possible, amendments to the existing parking arrangements are also being considered, along with additional or improved recycling facilities.
A further £15,000 was allocated for improvements to smaller “satellite” parades, consisting of two or three shops. Improvement works would be of a more simple nature such as replacement bins and street furniture and pavement resurfacing where necessary.
Cleaner, safer and better functioning shopping parades.
Cllr Dr Daniel Poulter, Executive Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: “Providing well maintained, viable shopping parades is a priority for the Council.
"Feedback from each community, in most cases through our Local Community Action Plan scheme, told us what is important to them in creating cleaner, safer and better functioning local shopping centres.
“Roads, footways and traffic congestion often came high on the list of things that need improving. Street furniture, street lighting and clean streets were also raised as issues for consideration. This input has provided us with the initial considerations for improvements in each area.
"Local residents, traders and councillors will be asked for their further views on design proposals once they are drawn up, and their comments will be taken into consideration when finalising the plans for each scheme."
The final schemes will require permission from Surrey County Council as the Highway Authority with responsibility for roads and footway improvements.
Schemes will be implemented in co-ordination with the County Council’s highway improvement programme whenever possible.
Cllr Dr Poulter added: “These improvement schemes will be promoted under the banner of the Council's 'Love Where You Live' civic pride campaign, which aims to build awareness of what we can all do to keep our streets, parks, and pavements cleaner and tidier."
The village and local shopping parade enhancement scheme forms part of the Council’s 2006-2009 Corporate Plan. We aim to improve 15 village centres and shopping parades across the Borough over three years.
£235,000 has already been spent over the last two years on eight enhancement schemes at Station Approach in Chipstead; Station Road, Horley; High Street, Tadworth; Somerset Road, Meadvale; Trehaven Parade and Western Parade in Woodhatch; Star Lane, Hooley and Slipshatch Road, Reigate.
Schemes at Shelvers Hill, Tadworth and Woodmansterne Street in Woodmansterne are scheduled to get underway soon.
About the LCAP scheme
The Local Community Action Plan (LCAP) scheme aims to give residents a bigger say on what happens in their neighbourhood by getting an understanding of the things that are important to them, and then trying to find ways to address them.
Feedback from residents, businesses, community representatives and youth groups is used to identify common issues that the community feel need addressing.
The Council then tries to find solutions in partnership with other local service providers, such as Raven Housing Trust, Surrey Police, Surrey County Council.
Local Ward Councillors take the lead in developing an action plan which is drawn up through further dialogue with those involved and the progress monitored.
Information for LCAPs is gathered from the local community through surveys, consultation events, residents' association meetings, meetings with local businesses and visits to societies and clubs.
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
01737 276000
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