CHURCH Street in Newent town centre is to have new pavements from its junction with Broad Street to St Mary’s Church.

Work started earlier this week, beginning on the south side and then moving on to the north side.

There will be a rolling programme along the street to minimise the disruption for local people with the entire job taking approximately six weeks.

Throughout most of the works, Church Street will remain open to vehicles and will be managed by temporary traffic signals.

Existing parking on Church Street will be suspended to allow the work to be carried out safely.

Access to shops and businesses will be maintained, with extra signage to show they are open as usual and to direct people to existing public car parks.

As well as the pavement improvements, work will be done to include a new informal crossing facility and improvements to the existing zebra crossing.

County Councillor Will Windsor-Clive, (Con, Newent) said: “Newent has already benefited from new street lighting, parking bays, a bus shelter and a 20mph speed zone around the Market House, Broad Street and High Street.

“These new pavements mark the completion of significant improvements and I look forward to Christmas when we’ll see the real benefits.”