Hampshire County Council will be undertaking resurfacing works in Bridge Street, Andover, as part of the Town Mills improvement scheme
The work will require Bridge Street to be closed for up to two nights on the 29 and 30 January between the hours of 8pm and 3am.
Councillor Rob Humby, Deputy Leader of Hampshire County Council and Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, said: “I would ask for people’s patience during these essential works and we will do everything we can to minimise any disruption for residents and businesses during this time. This improvement scheme supports Test Valley Borough Council’s regeneration plans for Andover Town Centre, and helps meet their ambition to make all the town’s car parks more accessible, so the town centre becomes a more attractive area for pedestrians and cyclists.
“Hampshire County Council has appointed Skanska to carry out these works. We are keen to actively support our market towns across Hampshire and we are investing capital funds to help them prosper.”
Bridge Street will be closed between the A3057 Western Avenue and the junction with Winchester Street/London Street and a signed diversion will be in place during the closure.
The overall scheme will provide new access to Andover’s Town Mills car park to ease access and wider town centre improvements to encourage more cycling and walking.
Delivered in partnership with Andover Vision and Test Valley Borough Council, the project will pave the way towards the total transformation of the Town Mills area with the creation of a picturesque riverside park to showcase the river.
It will also mark the start of the first stage of the borough council’s plan to redevelop the wider town centre.
Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, said: “The resurfacing works are essential in moving the project forward and we hope that by undertaking these works at night, it will cause little disruption. The redevelopment of the area surrounding Town Mills has been progressing rapidly since the second phase of works began last October and we are now able to see the project starting to take shape. It’s a very exciting time for Andover and the first step in delivering the wider transformation of the town centre. I’m sure we will all be making the most of the new outdoor space this summer.”
Hampshire County Council will deliver the project and is providing £434,000 from developer contributions and £228,000 from the Public Realm Improvement Fund, £513,000 is coming from the EM3 Local Enterprise Partnership, £307,000 from the Market Town Fund and £133,000 from Test Valley Borough Council. This brings the total investment to £1.6 million.
The improvements include:
• A new access provided into the Town Mill car park from the A3057 Western Avenue, which will allow the current access off Bridge Street to be physically closed to traffic and enhanced to allow access for pedestrians and cyclists;
• The existing footpath through the Pocket Park will be widened and a new path will be constructed through the park from the A3057;
• New benches, will be provided throughout the area to create more seating for people visiting the park;
• The use of York stone paving and other high-quality materials will enhance the area adjacent to the River Anton and the footpath adjacent to the river will be widened.
The aim is for the scheme to be completed later this spring.
