WORK TO create a heritage look at the Top of The Town will begin next month.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will be replacing planters, bins and bollards with ‘heritage-style’ cast iron ones, refurbishing benches and replacing some areas of paving.

The £180,000 project, aimed at improving the look of the area and reinforcing its character as the historic heart of the town, includes the removal of the existing brick planters and some of the current bollards and posts.

The new cast iron planters will be filled with ornamental pear trees and shrubs to create ‘tree-lined’ streets.

The work is part of the Basingstoke Town Centre Programme and complements Hampshire County Council’s improvements to Market Place and planned new pedestrian route signposts.

The work at the Top of The Town is due to start on Monday, January 5 in Cross Street with the removal of some paving and refurbishment of seating.

The removal of the planters, bins and bollards and installation of new ones will follow in London Street later in January, in Winchester Street in February/March, in Wote Street in March and Church Street and Market Place in March/April. The council is working with the contractors to try to keep disruption to a minimum wherever possible.

The council’s Cabinet member for housing and regeneration, Councillor Terri Reid, said: “This is the next step in breathing new life into the Top of The Town, supporting moves to make it more economically vibrant, in line with other parts of the town centre, raise its profile and make it a more attractive shopping and leisure destination.

“People and businesses have told us they would like to see improvements to the area’s look and feel. These smaller scale environmental changes will emphasise the role of this area as the historic heart of the town. I’m looking forward to seeing the trees blossoming in the spring.”

For more information, visit basingstoke.gov.uk/go/townimprovements.