WORK has begun on a £14.7 million scheme to improve the centre of Lowestoft.The first phase of the Waveney Sunrise Scheme began with the chairman of Waveney District Council Sandra Keller, and the Roger Bellham, a Suffolk County Councillor and member of the Sunrise Strategy Group, performing the official "slab-lifting" ceremony, yesterday.
WORK has begun on a £14.7 million scheme to improve the centre of Lowestoft.
The first phase of the Waveney Sunrise Scheme began with the chairman of Waveney District Council Sandra Keller, and the Roger Bellham, a Suffolk County Councillor and member of the Sunrise Strategy Group, performing the official "slab-lifting" ceremony, yesterday.
The scheme has been made possible by European Objective 2, Suffolk County Council, and East of England Development Agency funding.
The first phase of the works began in the town centre shopping area of London Road North, between Artillery Way and the Westgate Department Store.
The work will involve repaving the carriageway and pavements up to Milton Road East and is due to be completed by the end of the year.
An attractive square will be created in York stone in front of the North Lowestoft United Reformed Church that will improve access to the church and reduce traffic speed in the area.
The precinct between Milton Road East and the Westgate Department Store will see new surfacing, lighting, seating and a double avenue of trees.
More than 70 individual schemes will make up the regeneration of the town centre and grants are also being made available to landlords to improve buildings in the heart of the town.
The main shopping area in London Road North will have improved access for pedestrians, cyclists and skateboarders.
Lowestoft town manager Cheryl Paget said the scheme will benefit the whole of north Suffolk.
"It is a scheme to rejuvenate the centre of Lowestoft but it will make the town much more attractive to local residents and encourage more visitors and businesses to the area," she said.
Other improvements planned as part of the scheme include revamping Station Square that will be linked to the pedestrianised shopping area by a new raised area across Suffolk Road.
The Royal Plan and East Point Pavilion areas will also be made more pedestrian friendly.
Much of the scheme is linked to the progress of the proposed Southern Relief Road which could start as early as next year if the recent public inquiry gives the go-ahead.
That would lead to moves for two-way traffic at Katwijk Way and Waveney Road while south of the river 20mph zones would be introduced in London Road South and Marine Parade.
There are also plans to fully upgrade and resurface the Clifton Road car park and introduce CCTV to encourage more motorists to use the site.
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david.lennard@eadt.co.uk
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