THE mayor of Droitwich Spa is organising a public meeting and an online survey to ensure all the town’s residents will be able to voice their opinions on proposals to transform Droitwich town centre.

The proposals which have been drawn up by Worcestershire County Council, would see major investment being made to improve roads and services in the town, improving the town centre around High Street.

The proposals are split into five different areas which could be focused on, including improvements to the high street to repair the effects of flooding and subsidence caused by generations of salt mining in the area, which have made the ground uneven, with a flexible public realm area similar to Worcester High Street, which could be used for markets and public events.

Other suggestions include converting St Andrew’s Road back into two-way traffic flow to encourage through traffic to use the route into the town centre rather than the High Street, connecting the railway station to the town centre with signage, public art and improvements to the subways, highlighting the main gateways to the town at Bromsgrove Road, Hanbury Road, Kidderminster Road, Ombersley Road and Worcester Road with planting and signage, or improving links to the Berry Hill Industrial Estate and Westlands Estate by adding signage and developing safe and direct walking and cycling routes.

However, the county council has already warned that the funding for the project will be limited, and as a result improvements will be dealt with through a phased programme of work, with different areas for improvement being prioritised.

Worcestershire County Council has carried out similar schemes in Bewdley, Lowesmoor and Upton-upon-Severn where funding had to be prioritised by local residents.

Droitwich mayor Councillor Bob Brookes is keen to ensure that everyone in the town and surrounding areas has a chance to give their views on which areas priority should be given to through the development.

He said: “The changes proposed will shape the centre of our town for many years to come and I urge residents and business people to come to this meeting and give their opinions on the county council's proposals. It will be many years before we have an opportunity like this again, so I want it to be right for Droitwich. If you can't come to the meeting, then please complete the online survey.”

A public meeting is being held on Tuesday, October 7 from 6.15pm in the Council Chamber at St Richard’s House opposite Droitwich Library, and residents are all invited to come along and hear the proposals being suggested as well as offering up their own suggestions for the improvements.

Details of the proposals are available to view online, along with a survey which residents can complete at worcestershire.gov.uk/cms/transport-and-highways/transport-schemes/droitwich-spa-high-street.aspx. The survey will run until 5pm on Thursday, October 30.