THE first phase of improvement works in Ferndown is underway.

The Penny’s Walk and Victoria Road areas of the town are set to get a makeover thanks to work by Dorset Council in the coming months.

And the first of three phases of improvements has started, with the removal of some old planters in Victoria Road, which are being replaced with a new design and seating near the library.

There will be consultation on some concept designs to ensure the community is involved and can input into the final design, the council said.

It is then hoped that with additional funding the look and feel of this small area can be replicated down Victoria road and possibly Penny’s Walk in the future with the addition of an improved street lighting scheme.

The new design aims to better connect people with nature in an urban setting.

Cllr Mike Parkes (Con, Ferndown North), ward member for Ferndown, said: “I am thrilled that some of this work is now starting to take shape. Since the Town Centre Strategy was drawn up in 2017, I’ve been keen to get elements of the recommendations underway.

“The new planters and seating on Victoria Road in will be a very welcome addition to the town centre which I hope will increase footfall and give residents and visitors to Ferndown and more pleasant and greener experience.”

In phase two, a revised parking scheme for Victoria Road aims to make getting to the shops easier for those who need to travel to the town centre by car.

And phase three of the work will focus on spaces for new retailers, hospitality businesses and a refreshed public space for events, markets and town life in Penny’s Walk.

A £20,000 funding package to design the new seating and replacement planting in Victoria Road is part of the ‘Reconnecting with Nature Spaces’, coordinated by Litter Free Dorset (LFD).

Sophie Carpenter, from LFD, said: “We hope these improvements create a safe space where the community can gather, pollinators can thrive, as well as encourage a sense of pride in Ferndown.”