Council launches action plan to bring life back to high street

AN AMBITIOUS plan to revitalise Highcliffe high street has been launched by the village’s parish council which hopes it will lead to new shops and businesses being attracted to the area.

Among its aims is to tackle issues like traffic management, parking, condition of the pavements and pedestrian safety in the main Lymington Road.

Highcliffe & Walkford Parish Council is to employ consultants to investigate how to improve the traffic flow through the village to end the congestion about which many residents complain.

The problem is particularly bad in the summer, as annual day visitor numbers to the New Forest reach 13.5-million. HGVs passing through Highcliffe is also an issue the consultants will be looking at.

A special group set up by the parish council will spearhead the initiative, formally branded ‘Revitalising Highcliffe’s High Street’. They are also receiving input and help with the project from BCP Council.

It is being headed by vice-chair Cllr Andy Martin and BCP ward councillor for Highcliffe and Walkford Cllr Nigel Brooks.

Cllr Martin said: “Residents and businesses feedback from the Neighbourhood Plan process workshop before Christmas as well as direct feedback from residents over the past few months have left us in no doubt that that High Street is one of the most pressing issues we need to tackle.

“This is where the new parish council can make a real difference to the quality of life in the village and to its future prosperity and sustainability.

“The traffic management consultants report will give us the evidence we need to present to BCP Council, who are the Highways Authority and from whom funding for improvements will be important.”

Cllr Brooks, a parish councillor and also a member of BCP Council’s transport advisory group, added: “As the project progresses, we will be consulting as widely as possible with residents, our business community and visitors.

“It’s important that we develop an inspiring local vision for the future of Highcliffe’s high street and this is the first step. We aim to put together a comprehensive and sustainable action plan to revitalise our high street.”

The parish council’s plan is being welcomed by Highcliffe Action Team (HAT) which has released its own wish list for Lymington Road.

A spokesperson for HAT said of the parish council’s plans: “HAT supports initiatives intended to benefit any aspects of our village life and continually work together with local residents and,in particular, businesses on our high street to ensure we grow stronger as a community.

Amongst HATs hopes for the high street are plans to “build a more accessible village centre and enriched high street experience.”

It would also like to see a “greater variety of shops and attractions” along with “a vibrant living and working community.”

HAT is hoping to work local businesses and the parish council to “promote and grow a vibrant retail, business offer that relates to the digital changes impacting the visual and operational activity of a forward-thinking village”.

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