Parking spaces removed as St Neots Market Square £15m revamp starts
- Published
An artist's impression of what the new market square in St Neots will look like
Car parking spaces were removed as work began on a £15m project to revamp a Cambridgeshire town centre.
A new raised area for public performances and seating was in the process of being built in St Neots Market Square.
The project was set to be finished next January and some roads would be closed at night while the work takes place.
Huntingdonshire District Council said the project would make the area more attractive and boost trade.
It added that disruption would be kept to the minimum.
Money for the £15m project came from a combination of government, local councils, and National Highways funding.
Councillor Sam Wakeford, executive councillor for jobs, economy and housing at Huntingdonshire District Council, said: "We are excited that the construction phase of the town centre improvements project is now commencing, which is a significant milestone for St Neots.
"It promises a more attractive, versatile and vibrant public space in the historic centre of the town."
'A town more like Hitchin'
Ian McLachlan runs a flooring business on the market square and is concerned about a lack of communication about the impact of the work on his business.
He said: "Passing trade isn't going see us anymore because of all the construction.
"I have vans to load up in the morning and deliveries coming in. I do not know if this is going to disturb me being able to get stock in."
Councillor Stephen Ferguson, who represented the town, said: "The team involved in this project has tried to visit every business that's affected by this and written to all the business owners."
Some locals and traders are also unhappy about the loss of parking spaces as part of the revamp.
But Mr Ferguson added: "There are over a thousand car parking spaces in St Neots and very rarely are they full. The end goal is to reclaim it as a public social and economic space.
"The idea is to make it a town more like Hitchin which is attractive to come to, attracting tourist footfall and ultimately benefitting shops."