WORK starts next month on the plan to create a piazza-type square in the heart of St Helens.

The borough council is planning to transform Victoria Square into a prestigious civic area to mark the new Millennium.

Contractors will start work on Monday, August 9 and it will not be completed until next spring.

The new scheme will feature:

A high-quality open paved area focussed on the town hall steps.

Improved street lighting.

Seating where people can enjoy the square.

Mature trees and other landscaping.

Special priority lanes for buses, taxis and bicycles. The work will be undertaken in phases and will eventually mean the removal of through traffic from the square. Revised routes for access will be introduced.

Council engineers are asking drivers to bear the following points in mind as the work progresses:

If you currently drive through the town centre via Victoria Square you should revise your route to use either the Linkway (A58) or, when complete, Standish Street/Atlas Street.

There will be no through routes available within the Hardshaw Street residential area.

Access to all car parks will be signed from the outer circular route.

Local access to business premises in Corporation Street, Hardshaw Street (south) and Claughton Street will change.

Buses, cycle and Hackney cabs will still be allowed access via Victoria Square but no other traffic will be permitted.

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