FRESH images of a new look Braintree town centre once it has been pedestrianised have been released.

Work on the £2.95million scheme is already underway and bosses have published an artist's impression showing the changes planned.

High Street, Market Place, Great Square and Fairfield Road are all set to be altered in an attempt to make the town centre more attractive for visitors.

The scheme will see new improved one-level paving, trees and new seating areas added.

New lighting, CCTV, Wi-Fi, more infrastructure and cycle parking on the edge of the pedestrianised areas are also improvements coming as part of the scheme, as well as electricity points to power a greater range of market stalls and allow events to happen in any part of the town centre.

Enabling work has already been completed at Bank Street where 17 new disabled parking spaces have been installed.

Halstead Gazette:

Fairfield Road has also been resurfaced and new southbound bus and cycle lanes have been installed.

Construction work in the main High Street is set to begin the week commencing Monday, August 24.

This means that the High Street will then be closed to all traffic, including buses, with exceptions of delivery and emergency vehicle access.

Braintree Council's economic boss Tom Cunningham said: "These new images are incredibly exciting and show just how the pedestrianisation scheme will transform the town centre very soon.

"It will help reshape the town centre into an attractive destination for people to enjoy events, shop, socialise and work, helping to provide a further boost for the local economy which is more important than ever right now.

"It really is exciting times ahead for Braintree.”

The scheme forms part of the town centre’s multi-million pound regeneration, alongside the Victoria Square regeneration project which will bring more homes, services and facilities to residents and visitors.

A full schedule of works will become available at www.braintree.gov.uk/pedestrianisation. Regular updates will be available via an email newsletter which residents and businesses can sign up to for free at www.braintree.gov.uk/tellmemore.