It appears Test Valley Borough Council is listening to residents as after various polls and discussions on Facebook as they are set to undertake a review of Andover town centre’s street furniture.
This is to include signage and other items, to ensure the area is looking its best – and it is inviting local residents, retailers and visitors to take part.
The work forms part of the authority’s Andover Summit project which aims to increase the number of shoppers and visitors to the town.
The Summit’s Environmental Improvements Working Group will undertake two audits to look at the furniture and signage currently in place, its condition and whether it is of use.
The first will take place on Tuesday 2 July to assess the High Street and the second will be on Tuesday 9 July to review Bridge Street and London Street. The audits will take approximately one hour each to complete.
Anyone wishing to join in and provide feedback is asked to attend one of two meetings:
- 9:00am on Tuesday 2nd July at the Guildhall
- 9:00am on Tuesday 9th July at the Danebury Hotel
As well as writing to all retailers located on the targeted streets, the Council has invited Andover Disability Forum, Andover Visually Impaired, Andover C of E School and students from Andover College to take part in the review.
The results will form an action plan which will list the work required along with timescales, costs and feasibility.
Councillor Ian Carr, Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, said: “We are very keen for local shoppers, community groups and retailers to take part in the audits as they are best placed to say what works and what doesn’t on a practical and aesthetic level. From the beginning of the Andover Summit project, we committed to working with local people to help rejuvenate the area. We want to find out what can be done to improve the streets of Andover and ensure the town is attractive and convenient to browse.”
Anyone wishing to take part in the audits is asked to contact Annie Tomlinson, Transport Planner at Test Valley Borough Council on 01264 368984 or email atomlinson@testvalley.gov.uk
The Environmental Improvements Working Group consists of local business leaders, councillors and council officers and was one of five groups formed earlier this year following the Andover Summit. The remit of the group is to investigate work to enhance the town centre environment including planting, street furniture and improvements to the High Street.
