NEW LIFE FOR TOWN

Three local authorities involved in the multi-million-pound project have given it the go-ahead after studying the public's response to the proposals.

Councillors heard that the feedback from residents and traders in the Totton area had been "overwhelmingly positive".

A New Forest District Council spokesman said: "There are still some issues which need further consideration, but people strongly support the vision for the town centre and are keen for work to start."

Improvements will begin next year if the scheme is ratified at the next meeting of a local transportation panel.

Plans to enhance the town centre and banish its "Rotten Totton" image were unveiled last September, when 1,500 people attended an exhibition at the civic centre.

The scheme includes major alterations to the town's road system.

A busy roundabout at the junction of Salisbury Road, Ringwood Road and Commercial Road will be replaced by a T-junction for buses only.

All other vehicles will have to use a proposed new link road connecting Salisbury Road with the western end of Maynard Road.

Space created by the removal of the roundabout will enable a large town square to be built beside the shopping precinct in Commercial Road.

The scheme was given the green light at a meeting attended by members of Hampshire County Council, the district council and Totton and Eling Town Council.

Councillors considered some of the key issues raised by residents, including traffic flows and the number of heavy goods vehicles in the town.

Tom Russell, the district council's Cabinet member for economy and planning, said he was delighted the scheme had attracted a high level of support.

He said: "Wide-scale consultation has gone into these proposals and we're very pleased that local people have expressed overall support for the plans.

"There are still some concerns on specific issues, but we are confident that these can be addressed."