HAMPSHIRE planning chiefs have vowed that proposed improvements to Totton town centre will enhance the area for the next 100 years.

The county council has started to look at how Totton's busiest streets can be upgraded under the authority's urban regeneration scheme.

Officers have begun to consult the town and district councils.

Members of the town's planning and transport committee were briefed on work carried out in other parts of Hampshire.

Councillors were shown a series of "before and after" slides illustrating how run-down areas have been enhanced by schemes costing up to £250,000.

Unsightly fences have been replaced with ornate railings. Asphalt laid in quaint towns and villages has been dug up to make way for cobbles and other surfaces reflecting the historic surroundings.

Assistant county planning officer Merrick Denton-Thompson said the urban regeneration scheme sought to make the most of an area's existing qualities.

He said: "It builds on the sense of place, which means Totton will dictate what happens in Totton. We're not going to just regurgitate what we've done in other parts of the county.

"But we're aiming to repeat our success elsewhere by enhancing the town with high-quality investment designed to last 100 years or more.

"Totton has some really fabulous buildings that are being let down by objects such as advertisement hoardings."

Mr Denton-Thompson referred to traffic problems caused by the A36 Southampton to Salisbury road, which passes through the centre of Totton.

He said: "A busy trunk road goes right through the middle of a small charming town, despite the presence of two bypasses to the south and west. The town centre is full of large signs and tall lights - everything is out of scale with the pedestrian."

The county council is planning to draw up an environmental improvement scheme and then consult widely with a view to starting work next year.

Mr Denton-Thompson said: "We've got to collect the data and bring everyone with us, otherwise this will fail."

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