IT IS set to transform a busy town street, making it more accessible to shoppers.

Now Romsey residents and businesses are invited to discover more about the planned Bell Street improvements at a ‘Meet the Contractor’ event to be held today, between 3pm and 8pm - just days before work begins on September 4.

Bell Street is the latest piece of the upgrade package to the market town's centre which is aimed at enhancing the overall accessibility to the area.

Work is expected to take 28 weeks to complete, spread over two phases.

The first will end in mid-November to allow Bell Street to reopen for the Christmas period, before work commences again on January 2.

The overall scheme will be completed by May 2018.

As part of the work, the road will be narrowed in order to reduce vehicle speeds and the footway and carriageway will be at one level to aid accessibility. A new drainage system will also be introduced to reduce the risk of flooding and maintenance required.

There will be a raised crossing at the entry to Bell Street and Broadwater Road to act as a gateway to Bell Street.

For the duration of the works, access for pedestrians, emergency services and deliveries will be maintained at all times, but there will be no access for other vehicles to Bell Street. Fully signed diversions will be in place, and Bell Street will be accessible via Church Street.

Councillor Roy Perry, leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “We are offering people an opportunity to come and meet the contractors and the project team to find out about the works in more detail.

"During the planning stages, we have worked closely with Test Valley Borough Council, consulting regularly with businesses and residents as the scheme was designed.

“Once complete, Bell Street will be an even more attractive place for people to visit, whether they are passing through or are local to the area - bringing a boost to the local economy while enhancing Romsey for those who live here.”

The Bell Street scheme is part of a package of improvements designed to enhance the vibrancy of Romsey Town Centre and attract more visitors. Together with the improvements already successfully completed in Church Street, the schemes represent a £1.5million investment into the area. The final part of the package will be an enhancement scheme for Market Place.

Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, added: "I would urge people to go along to find out more and to visualise how the improvements will make the town much more accessible to all. I’m sure seeing the end result of these improvements will assure everyone that these improvements will benefit all members of the community."

Work in Bell Street will begin on Monday September 4, and is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2018. Key dates and events have been factored into the plans, and works will be suspended on September 9 to allow for extra traffic expected in the area for the Romsey Show; and will shut down for the busy Christmas trading period on Friday November 24, ahead of the Winter Carnival and Christmas Lights switch on.

The event will take place in Romsey Town Hall from 3pm to 8pm.