People invited to give their views on Trowbridge town centre improvements

Residents and businesses are being invited by Wiltshire Council to give their views on the proposed public realm improvements to Manvers Street and Wicker Hill in Trowbridge.

The proposals form part of five pedestrian and cycling improvement schemes to come forward as part of the £16 million investment in the town centre via the government's Future High Streets Fund.

The aim is to improve the ease and safety of pedestrian crossings as well as improve walking and cycling routes in five key locations in the town centre.

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Manvers Street is a popular route into the town centre for pedestrians from the Sainsbury's store. This connection could be further improved by opening up the area in front of Manvers House by making adjustments to the existing wall and some of the vegetation that currently blocks the view to Manvers House.

In addition, widening the footpath on Manvers Street will allow improvements to be made to the bus stops and the current position of the bus shelter, which in turn will remove the current pinch point for pedestrians on the corner of Manvers Street and Fore Street.

The improvements will use hard and soft landscaping materials to tie in with the recent improvement elsewhere in the town and to complement the Conservation area status. This will provide a better visual appearance within the town centre alongside the physical improvements.

The proposal for Wicker Hill aims to improve space for pedestrians by widening footpaths using similar materials to the previous enhancements.

This will provide an improved link for pedestrians to the town centre and railway station. The proposal will also link into the work being developed as part of the River Biss corridor scheme, another of the schemes funded by the Future High Streets Fund.

The original bid proposal sought to remove traffic from Fore street and Wicker Hill, but this proposal retains the route for traffic, and creates the opportunity for this heritage area of the town centre to become a gateway for visitors and a vibrant commercial street.

The proposed changes require some minor changes to the existing parking restrictions and as such a traffic regulation order is required.

Interested parties may comment on the proposed changes by visiting the council's website at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/troconsultations

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Cllr Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for Transport, said: One of our Business Plan priorities is to create vibrant and well-connected communities and the Manvers Street and Wicker Hill proposals are the latest in a series of schemes to improve walking and cycling routes into the town centre.

"Local people are already benefiting from the improvements made at the junction of Church Street and Union Street, and we look forward to seeing the improvements at Castle Street once the works there are completed."

If the scheme is approved the improvement works will take place in 2024.

The consultation period closes on Monday, August 7.