New agreement paves way for brighter future for Andover town centre
Quicker fixes and a smarter-looking town centre are on the horizon for Andover, as Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) and Hampshire County Council (HCC) are working together to undertake day-to-day repairs and maintenance across parts of the High Street, Waterloo Court and Town Mills.
Historically, Hampshire County Council has been responsible for carrying out work such as fixing paving slabs and street furniture, looking after drainage channels, and cleaning and repairing signage. But a new agreement means that TVBC will be able to undertake this work on their behalf, meaning they can identify and fix issues, as well as ensure that repairs are in-keeping with the rest of the town centre. The agreement means that TVBC will invest dedicated resources to support the delivery of these jobs locally, helping to ease pressure on Hampshire County Council at a time of high demand across the wider county area. The county council will continue to respond to safety-critical work as required.
Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, said: “This is brilliant news and another step forward in our ambition to transform Andover.
“By working closely and collaboratively with Hampshire County Council, we can ensure that repairs are undertaken as quickly as possible, are completed to a high standard, and fit with the look and feel of the wider town centre.
“Alongside our multi-million-pound regeneration projects to build a new state-of-the-art theatre in the heart of the town and create a spectacular new riverside park at Western Avenue, this move reaffirms our commitment to create a modern town centre that we can all be proud of. And keeping the area looking its best has a positive impact on shoppers and businesses alike, boosting footfall and the economy, and improving satisfaction.”
Councillor Steve Forster, Hampshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Passenger Transport, said: “We’re pleased to be working in partnership with Test Valley Borough Council to support the ongoing improvement of Andover town centre.
“This new arrangement reflects our shared commitment to delivering day-to-day maintenance efficiently and we welcome additional support to do so.
“Strong collaboration is key to creating attractive, well-maintained places, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with Test Valley Borough Council to support Andover’s future success.”
Any issues should still be reported through Hampshire County Council’s website at https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/highways. The county council will then pass on any that TVBC is able to address under the new agreement.