YEOVIL Town Centre is set to undergo the next phase of public realm enhancement works this month.

Middle Street, a popular shopping area, will receive a makeover as part of the Yeovil Refresh programme. Works to this area are due to commence on July 10.

Once completed, Middle Street will have:

• Widened footways.

• Raised seating planters, street tree and ornamental planting.

• Flexible paving space

• Blue badge parking bays.

• Improved street lighting and new bench seating.

It is hoped that these changes will make the area more appealing to visitors and residents alike.

Sections of Middle Street will be closed and subsequently opened to traffic, starting at the Borough. The council will also take this opportunity to complete any drainage updates.

The work will be completed in a series of phases with the first two phases scheduled for completion by the end of November 2023. 

Here's some important things to keep in mind:

• The top of Middle Street will be closed to traffic, on the junction of Union Street/Wine Street and Peter Street. Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles and hackney carriages accessing the Silver Street rank.

• SWH, the project contractors, will be liaising with businesses directly affected by the sequential closure of Middle Street.

• Physical access for pedestrians to businesses will be maintained, so that residents can still shop. 

• Blue badge parking in Middle Street will not be accessible over the duration of works. As such, Blue badge holders should use nearby spaces in Peter Street or a range of other car parks, on street locations across the town centre or spaces provided in public car parks.  Blue badge parking and Shopmobility services are available in Quedam car park with lift access to the main shopping street and level square.

• Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the duration of the works.

The council hope that, by closing the road entirely, there will be less confusion over access times and the works can be completed sooner.

A spokesperson from Somerset Council said: "We appreciate the disruption that businesses, residents and visitors to Middle Street will experience over the duration of these works, and are working with our partners, SWH to ensure these are minimised, with alternative provisions in place wherever possible."