Building a Better Broadway

THE Broadway in Loughton could be transformed by the end of the year with a £2.87m face lift.

Work will include removing the central reservation outside the shops and relaying the road and pavements, increasing off-street parking and improving street lighting.

There will also be extensive CCTV coverage and opportunities for further development.

District council cabinet members this week agreed to back proposals drawn up by council consultant Robert West.

Epping Forest Council's planning and economic development portfolio holder Robert Glozier said: "Although that's a very large sum of money it's money we will be spending on our own property very much a case of investing in council resources rather than just spending it."

The contract will then be offered to developer Gabriels, which has been responsible for completing the Loughton town centre enhancement scheme. Work could start as soon as the Loughton works are finished, in late spring or summer, with possible completion by Christmas.

Also planned is a safety chicane and raised paved "public" area. There will be new street furniture, a redesign of the Burton Road and Vere Road car parks and one-way street systems in Burton Road and Vere Road.

If councillors were unhappy with the Gabriels bid they would open the tendering process to others.

Councillor Michael Heavens said: "I'm a bit concerned that if we don't tender a contract like this we will be making ourselves hostages to fortune. There's a risk in it."

Council leader John Knapman said: "We will try the one that has been cheapest and most competitive for us in the past first and if we don't like it we will go somewhere else."

Mr Knapman was also optimistic that plans for additional phase two redevelopment of the Burton Road car park with the likely provision of additional high-profile stores and affordable housing might be closer than the council was anticipating.

He said: "Our planners have been doing a lot of work and I suggest phase two could be happening almost in conjunction with what we are doing. I am sure our planners will let us know about that soon."

Commenting on informal proposals for the Burton Road car park, Mr Knapman told the Guardian: "The council will be given presentations in the spring which will set out visions for Burton Road and how that might impact on further enhancement of The Broadway shops."

Detailed plans, including the award of a contract, are expected to be discussed in April.