Town's £22m high street upgrade to begin

An artist's impression shows how Queensway would look after the transformation

Work that aims to make a high street a more attractive and accessible place to visit and do business in starts at the end of October.

The improvements to Queensway in Bletchley have been made possible thanks to £22.7m from the government's Towns Fund.

In 2021, Milton Keynes City Council was awarded the money to deliver several projects in Bletchley and Fenny Stratford.

Council leader Pete Marland said the area was "full of potential and we're proud to be investing in its future".

"The improvements to Queensway reflect what local people have told us they want to see – safer, more welcoming spaces that support businesses and bring people together," he said.

Better signage and lighting are among the improvements to be made to Queensway

Residents and business owners are among those who have given feedback on what the improvements on Queensway should look like.

Proposals were shared through 15 consultation sessions as well as at community events, at Milton Keynes College and local schools.

As a result of their feedback, the council said it was building safer and more accessible pedestrian crossings and installing new street furniture and planting.

It was also creating more space for outdoor seating in front of cafes and restaurants and increasing the number of parking spaces, including for disabled people.

The funding also covered improvements to Aylesbury Street, which started in July and were completed at the beginning of October.

Marland said he would "like to thank everyone who has helped shape the proposals and look forward to continuing these conversations about what matters most to local people".

Work on Queensway should be finished in spring 2026.

The council said residents and businesses would be kept up to date about the work, and four community drop-in sessions were being held each month where people could ask questions.