ROMSEY motorists are being warned of temporary road closures in the heart of the town, due to resurfacing work.

The improvements are set to begin on June 24 and will take five days to complete, which will see Church Road closed at the junction with Market Place.

Councillor Rob Humby, deputy leader of Hampshire County Council and executive member for environment and transport, said: “With town centres at risk across the county, we are investing in Romsey for the future. It is good to see the work in Market Place is coming along apace.”

He added: “The scheme has been designed to create a safer environment for all road users including pedestrians and cyclists.

“It is the third and final phase of a wider improvement scheme for the historic market town.”

The closure will allow resurfacing works to be carried out between Romsey Conservative Club, Corn Market, through to the junction with Bell Street.

During these works, there will be short term closures in place for The Abbey and Bell Street, which should last approximately two to four hours.

Businesses will also be notified of these closures in advance.

A spokesperson from Hampshire County Council said: “All businesses will remain open as usual, with pedestrian access to Church Street and Market Place maintained throughout the works.

“The County Council will endeavour to keep disruption to businesses, residents and visitors to a minimum during the works.”

The improvement scheme at Market Place is the third and final part of a £3 million project in the town, which includes work in Church Street that was completed in 2016 as well as Bell Street last year.

If the weather and ground conditions are reasonable, Romsey residents could expect to see work in the Market Place to be completed later this summer, but a date has not yet been set.

A signed diversion for traffic will be in place and is available at https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/transportschemes/marketplaceromsey.

The improvements are part of the council’s plans to enhance the look and feel of Romsey town centre, which will see the roundabout replaced with a large piazza-style build out around the Lord Palmerston statue in Market Place.

York stone paving will surround the Palmerston statue, and power bollards will be installed at the entrances to the Market Place.

There will also be a bicycle rack and a number of new benches which will help create a more welcoming environment for visitors and locals alike.