South Norfolk: Harleston residents are asked to have their say
Residents in the market town of Harleston are being asked to give their views on a project to improve the town centre.
The £750,000 project will reinforce the priorities of reducing through traffic, creating a better environment for shopping and providing places for residents and visitors to enjoy their leisure time.
The scheme will be funded by South Norfolk Council, Norfolk County Council and the Town Council. South Norfolk Council Leader, John Fuller said:
“South Norfolk has received its share of the extra business rates paid by expanding businesses across the whole of Norfolk. In the past we have invested in Diss’s market triangle and in Wymondham and Long Stratton with town centre improvements and sporting facilities.
“Now it’s Harleston’s turn, and we are proposing to invest all that extra business rates income together with some of the extra council tax paid by the occupiers of new homes - the best part of three quarters of a million pounds - in helping Harleston move with the times and be best placed to respond to the changes the pandemic has accelerated.”
The project stems from the need, during the Covid-19 pandemic, to create a reduction in through traffic in the town centre and now a multi stakeholder project board has produced a plan for a more permanent series of improvements.
Suggested changes to the Market Place, Exchange Street, the Thoroughfare and Broad Street will see some relocation of parking places giving more direct access to the busy retail areas. Reduced carriageways will slow traffic and make the town centre safer for pedestrians, while wider pavements and the introduction of planters and benches will all add to the improved streetscape and make the town centre a better place to live, work and spend time.
The consultation will open on 23 September 2021 and residents will be able to have their say about the ideas. A link will be available on the council website from the 23 September. Residents will be able to see the proposed plans and share their views and there will be an opportunity to talk to the team in the Carvery at the Swan Hotel on Saturday 25 September and also on Wednesday 29.