Views are being sought on plans to revamp Newmarket’s High Street to ensure it remains “attractive for residents and visitors” in the future.

East Anglian Daily Times: Views are being sought on plans to revamp Newmarket's High Street Picture: NEWMARKET VISION GROUPViews are being sought on plans to revamp Newmarket's High Street Picture: NEWMARKET VISION GROUP (Image: Archant)

A design proposal has been put forward by the Newmarket Town Centre Vision Group on future improvements to the High Street to adapt to the “ever-changing trends in retail and leisure behaviours”.

A draft consultation was launched on December 6 and residents have until January 25 to respond.

The Newmarket Vision Group says funding has not been committed to the sites within the plans and there is no timetable for work to begin.

However, having an agreed framework in place makes it easier to attract funding an initiate work, according to the group.

The improvements include changes in the highway layout in the central retail area which contains most of the High Street’s shops.

The proposals would see the carriageway in that area split with central and lateral margins in block paving.

The Sun Lane/Wellington Street area would also see a paving scheme create a “shared space” principal crossing point with seating areas and public art.

The proposals to reduce width to 2.5 meters and separate the carriageways are intended to have a calming effect on traffic and signal to drivers that they are entering a section of highway with pedestrian priority.

The proposed scheme would also see changes to the junction at The Avenue, with the removal of ‘ghost lanes’ in favour of pedestrian islands to facilitate pedestrian movement.

The group says this may also discourage through traffic – vehicles turning right from The Avenue for example – and make alternative routes such as New Cheveley Road and the B1063 more attractive.

Relocation of the traffic lights and a new paving frontage to the town’s Memorial Hall are also proposed under the scheme.

The Newmarket Vision Group says the views of all respondents will be considered in developing the final design so that when funding opportunities are identified, there can be a consistent approach to how the town’s High Street is enhanced.

To view the consultation, visit www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/NewmarketHighStreetDesign/