Council and democracy

Coulsdon improvement plans

The aim is to enhance the town centre's character and to restore the busy high street.

Councillor Phil Thomas, cabinet member for environment and highways, said: "Support will be given to local shops and community initiatives, with plans to establish a high-quality environment, with safe and pleasant streets for pedestrians.

"It is also the intention to provide an additional three parking spaces in the form of a lay-by outside numbers 100-104 just north of the railway bridge."

Distinctive streets and spaces will be developed as part of the plans. These include:

• The Gateways - important arrival and entry points into the town
• The Boulevard - the section of Brighton Road that runs from Lion Green Road to Chipstead Valley Road and forms a link with the surrounding green areas
• The Street - the section of Brighton Road that runs from Chipstead Valley Road to Windermere Road and is currently the most concentrated shopping area
• The Centre - the junction of Chipstead Valley Road and Brighton Road, including the section of pavement in front of the Red Lion site.

The work will be carried out in phases to cause the least disturbance to local businesses.

The first stage will be the footways along the northern end of Brighton Road between Windermere Road and Station Approach Road. This will be followed by the central area at the junction of Brighton Road and Chipstead Valley Road, and then along the length of the scheme.

After this the road will be surfaced and ancillary work carried out.

Traffic management arrangements are still to be discussed in detail and there will be advance information of the work programme and closures as appropriate.

Tree planting is planned between autumn and spring 2010 subject to any conflict with public utilities.

A temporary site compound will be erected on The Red Lion site (between 155 Brighton Road and 163 Sentinel House) for the duration of the work.

There will need to be some on-street storage but the intention is to retain as much parking as possible during the works.

Working hours will be arranged, as far as is practicable, to suit local needs. The intention is to pave across shop and business entrances at appropriate times so as not to disrupt access.