A new town road layout is halfway through its development in a bid to bring the area to life.
The renovation of March’s Broad Street is entering phase three of five, with only a few months until the completion date set to be reached.
The works are part of a programme of inter-related schemes being delivered by various partners to transform and future-proof the town centre for years to come.
The project is being delivered through Cambridgeshire County Council's March Area Transport Study (MATS), funded by a combination of a £4.2million investment from MATS and £3.6million from the March Future High Streets Fund programme.
The work is the result of several years of consultation with the public as part of the Growing Fenland work and MATS, as well as in response to the future needs of the town as it continues to grow.
The project is being carried out by Octavius, which is transforming the existing road layout and creating a new public realm area with new seating, trees and planters, new street lighting, and new zebra crossings to improve pedestrian safety.
The two existing northbound lanes and traffic lights have been replaced with a single lane in each direction and a new mini roundabout, which is expected to improve traffic flow and reduce delays at all approaches to the junction.
This is also predicted to improve air quality on Broad Street.
The new roundabout and road has opened, and the public realm works will follow. The changes will include:
\- Sensitively relocating the Grade II-listed ornamental fountain.
\- Creating a new stepped seating area overlooking the river.
\- Refurbishing the stepped access around the war memorial and the steps leading to the river.
\- New planters, constructed of monolithic stone, and tree pits, incorporating root systems and uplighters.
\- The provision of two new bus stops and four new zebra crossings.
\- New street lighting, architectural lighting and pop-up power supplies.
\- Drainage improvements.
\- Installation of new signs and road markings.
The work is expected to be completed around October time, bringing a breath of fresh air to the area.
