Work on the long-awaited ‘Plan E’ improvement works to the roads and public spaces in Epsom town centre will begin in January 2017, the council announced this week.

From February 2010: Public consultation on plans to improve Epsom Town Centre begins

The council’s Strategy and Resources Committee first approved a draft document for Plan E – a long-term strategy for improving leisure, cultural and recreational facilities, maintain accommodation and enhancing retail units in the borough – in January 2010.

Surrey Comet:

Seven years on, phased works are set to start with the relocation of the bus stand outside TK Maxx (pictured above) in Epsom High Street to the back of the Ashley Centre on Ashley Avenue.

Alanna Coombes, town centres manager for Epsom, Ewell and Stoneleigh said: “This will allow traffic to move more freely in the High Street and open up the views of the High Street and Market Place.”

Surrey Comet:

Surrey County Council, which is leading the works, was awarded £2.7million from the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership – a coalition of local authorities and businesses in south London, Surrey and Sussex – to change the road layout in Epsom. It is hoped the scheme will reduce congestion and provide help for pedestrians and those using public transport within the town.

Work was initially planned to start this autumn, but has been delayed until January 3, 2017. Plan E is scheduled to be completed by October 2017.

A spokesperson for Surrey County Council said: “Some delays have occurred whilst Surrey County Council and Epsom and Ewell Borough Council have sought ways of balancing the needs of all town centre users, in order to finalise the details and to avoid commencing any works in the build up to the Christmas period.”

After the relocation of the TK Maxx bus stop, planners will widen the pavement outside Metro Bank and change the signalling outside the Spread Eagle junction to enhance safety. This will include a countdown for pedestrians, allowing them to better time their crossing.

From August 2015: What makes Epsom town centre junction so dangerous?

There are also plans to improve the junction outside the Marquis of Granby in West Street, make South Street two-way, and make the market place more attractive.

Ms Coombes added: “The overall aim of the works is to reduce congestion, make the town centre more pedestrian-friendly and encourage people to move around the town centre much more and so make greater use of all the shops, services, cafes, restaurants and our other great businesses.

“Currently there is strong footfall in and around the Ashley Centre but I want it to spread out across the whole town centre – down South Street, Upper High Street and up West Street and Waterloo Road. These ‘Plan E’ improvements will help with that.”

A spokesperson for Epsom and Ewell Borough Council advised: “In order that the works are carried out as safely and efficiently as possible, temporary lane and road closures with traffic diversions and some parking and loading suspensions will be required when necessary whilst the works take place.”

For more information, visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/epsomhighwayimprovements

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