Area around town centre set for a facelift

Plans for Station Avenue in Caterham include include wider pavements, new seating and better crossings

Parts of a town centre in Surrey could be in line for a facelift.

Station Avenue in Caterham is set to be transformed into a "safer and greener place for people to spend time", authorities say.

The road outside the town's rail station, often the first thing visitors see when arriving by train or bus, has long been criticised as unwelcoming, traffic-heavy and lacking in life.

The plans by Tandridge District Council (TDC), Surrey County Council (SCC) and Caterham Business Improvement District include wider pavements, new seating and better crossings.

The authorities say they want cycle storage as well as more greenery.

Trees and gardens will be added to help tackle flooding and improve air quality, council documents state.

Relocating the taxi rank is aimed to free up room for planting and wider pavements, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A TDC spokesperson said: "The aim is simple to make Station Avenue somewhere people actually want to shop, meet and spend time, rather than just pass through."

Council officers say the revamp will not only improve the look and feel of the area but also "give local shops and businesses a boost by encouraging more footfall".

The proposed works could also reduce car dominance, slow traffic and make it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Still in draft form, the plans will need to go through more stages of planning and consultation before being finalised.

SCC has already backed the initial design work and a decision on £1.5m of the funding is expected shortly

If the plans are approved building work could start in early 2027 and finish by the end of that year.

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