A programme to improve part of Stratford-upon-Avon town centre enters its final stages next week, when work is expected to start on a pedestrianisation scheme. 

Meer Street and lower Henley Street are being re-paved with widened footways and a narrower road, in a project funded by Stratford District Council which will ban traffic from the area between 11am and 7pm.

The district council will be replacing the surfaces with materials which are more appropriate to the historic core of the town. These were selected after extensive consultation with businesses, residents and visitors for their views on the appearance of the area.

The project is a joint district/county council scheme with work expected to start first in Meer Street on 14 February. No work will take place in Henley Street until after the Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations, which will be taking place in the week after Easter. The whole project will take about 20 weeks to complete.

"It is vital that we put the needs of pedestrians first in the heart of Stratford town centre," says Cllr Susan Juned, Leader of the District Council.

"Pedestrianisation can be a very emotive subject for some people, but there is no doubt that the trial scheme in this area has made a great improvement to safety and the local environment. Air pollution has been reduced and the historic core of the town has been enhanced.

"Stratford District Council is committed to reducing car use across the whole of our district, and this will be integrated into a wider overall strategy, including pedestrianisation and revised parking arrangements."

The contract for some £220,000 for the alterations has been awarded to Birmingham-based Fitzgerald Contractors Ltd. They will be carrying out the work under the supervision of the district council, on behalf of Warwickshire County Council, the highway authority. Business and residents around the area have been informed about the work in a newsletter distributed by the district council.