County Councillors Alan Weeks and David Harrison - overcoming barriers

Previous attempts at getting the town centre improved have repeatedly stalled. Hampshire County Council have decided not to proceed with a £20 million bid for government funding for a major scheme because it is believed the bid will likely fail. The scheme that consultants had drawn up and was subject to a full public consultation was thought to lack several important aspects including a traffic assessment and measures designed to reduce congestion.

A frustrated Councillor Alan Weeks says "The history of this project is like a comedy of errors. The County Council have spent vast sums of money without any visible difference to the town centre. Even the smaller scale scheme to improve Rumbridge Street seems to have been dogged by delays and complete lack of co-ordination".

The two County Councillors met with County Officers last week, to express profound disappointment with the failure of the County Council to get to grips with the town centre improvements. Now, they have suggested a fresh start with improvements delivered in phases. Crucially, they are now insisting that a Hampshire County Council Officer be given the specific job of project manager for Totton Town Centre improvements.

Councillor David Harrison says "The time has come for somebody to take charge of co-ordinating this important work. Totton residents have become sick and tired of the frustrating delays in getting the town centre improved. A project manager will be responsible for making sure things start happening".