PLANNING officers have given reassurances that a controversial £1m facelift of a historic Hampshire town centre will be carried out using "quality materials".

Six months of work is scheduled to begin next January on phase one to turn Latimer Street and The Hundred in Romsey into a more pedestrian-friendly area and reduce the flow of traffic.

In January the county council's executive member for the environment, Councillor Keith Estlin, approved the plans, which had been criticised as too radical for the historic market town when they were revealed last year.

But project managers admit that the more controversial second phase plans to alter Market Place, Bell Street and Church Street would require additional funding, which at present does not exist.

Project manager Simeon De'ath, for Hamp-shire County Council, said: "We are not going to be closing Romsey down. We are using quality materials and we won't go for the cheapest contractor.

"We want this to last a long time and the stone will be slip resistant.

"Because Romsey is such a historic centre the 1960s and '70s road design just does not work."

In a joint venture between the county council and Test Valley Borough Council the improvement scheme will be funded with £600,000 of government money from the county council and £380,000 from Test Valley Borough Council, which came from Waitrose which is currently constructing a new superstore close to Latimer Street.

Project managers Mr De'ath and Test Valley Borough Council's Mark Lambert have vowed to continue to work closely with the people of Romsey ensuring transparency at every step of the improvement scheme. An on-site resident engineer will be present throughout the work to liaise with people and regular letter drops will be conducted at the homes of Romsey residents.

Mr Lambert said: "The aim is for people to be able to walk through from the new Waitrose and use the whole of the shopping precinct. Traffic will still be free-flowing but slowed down."

Using natural materials or a pale yellow York stone for the paving and a marble stone for the curbs, the pavements along The Hundred and Latimer Street will be widened and traffic will be restricted to one-way down Latimer Street.

Plans also include introducing raised, pavement-level areas at the top of Latimer Street and at the junction with The Hundred, creating safe and clearly marked crossing areas, seating areas, bicycle racks and benches, and a pedestrian area between the new Waitrose and Latimer Street. New traffic signs will also be added to existing signs.

Concerns had been expressed about the loss of parking in the area but negotiations are under way to create a 60-bay car park at the top of Latimer Street.

Mr Lambert said: "The only legal on-street parking is outside Clinton's Cards but that comprises only four spaces. Here we will create a loading bay and disabled parking bays."

Fine-tuning to the plans is expected to continue this year with Cllr Estlin due to give the final go-ahead in July and Cllr Ken Thornber in September. The contractor will be appointed in late October.

Work is expected to last 26 weeks and by its very nature will cause some disruption.

Mr De'ath added: "At some stage we will have to close The Hundred, perhaps for a weekend or maybe just overnight."