Published: March 1, 2012
£186,000 of town centre improvements for Burnham-On-Sea revealed

A £186,000 project to modernise Burnham-On-Sea town centre is set to go ahead over the next few months.

Burnham-On-Sea.com learns a Sedgemoor District Council 'task and finish' group has met over the past week to approve a list of improvements which are aimed at smartening up the town centre to make it more attractive for shoppers, holidaymakers and residents.

The funding comprises £146,000 of compensation cash from the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and £40,000 from Burnham and Highbridge Town Council.

The project will deliver new seating, lamp posts, paving stones and signs along the High Street and some side streets plus other 'cosmetic' changes to give the town centre a lift.

Plans to make Burnham's Victoria Street one-way are also being discussed with Somerset County Council, although this work may not proceed during the first phase.

County Councillor John Woodman, who one of several councillors and residents on the 'task and finish group', told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "While the fine detail about the changes is still being finalised, the improvements are being spread across the town centre as widely as possible to maximize the benefit. The project will provide a good boost to the town."

Town Councillor Phil Harvey added: "I am really pleased this is going ahead. The project will give Burnham's town centre a real lift during difficult times."

Burnham-On-Sea.com understands that the £146,000 of SWRDA funding was time-limited, so could have been lost altogether if the group had not placed an order for the work by the end of March.

The news comes a week after Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported here that Burnham is compiling a bid for a share of £1million of Mary Portas funding.