PLANS for the start of the Street Scene works that will transform the centre of Letchworth GC moved a step closer last night (Thursday) when a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) was approved by a joint members panel belonging to North Herts District Council

PLANS for the start of the Street Scene works that will transform the centre of Letchworth GC moved a step closer last night (Thursday) when a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) was approved by a joint members' panel belonging to North Herts District Council and Herts County Council.

The multi-million pound scheme covering Eastcheap and Leys Avenue will be funded entirely by the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation although no exact figure has been put on the project by the Foundation.

"Our town centre revitalisation has taken a major step forward," said Stuart Kenny, director general of the Foundation.

"Subject to legal agreements and contracts being finalised in the near future, we hope to be on the site in May.

"This is the first phase of a three-phase development. The others are the re-development of The Wynd and The Arena areas. We are currently in discussions with a potential development partner for The Wynd."

Mr Kenny added: "The Street Scene works will transform the look and feel of the town's two main shopping streets, Eastcheap and Leys Avenue, with the addition of convenient nose-in on-street parking, new landscaped seating areas, water features and major sculptures.

"Top quality materials will be used throughout.

"As things stand at present, the works are due to be completed in just over a year. But that includes a break from mid-November, 2009, to mid-January 2010, in order not to disrupt the Christmas retail trade.