The future of the town centre is critical to the future of the town as a whole. It provides a focus for employment, for community life and for leisure opportunities.

You told us you wanted the town centre and the High Street to look better and have a wider range of facilities and shops.

The Partnership will therefore support initiatives and projects that secure:

• Traffic calming in the town-centre.
• Environmental improvements to car parks.
• Better pavements and conditions for shoppers.
• Less pollution and nuisance through the reduction of heavy
  lorries in the town centre.
• Better community and leisure facilities.

The Melksham 1st Partnership will work with Wiltshire County Council Environmental Services, West Wiltshire District Council Planning Department, the Town Council, local businesses and residents to develop a Town Centre Design Plan that will aim to achieve these improvements over the next three years.

Partial funding has already been allocated through the Local Transport Plan Settlement.

Without a successful local economy (including a thriving town centre) the town will not prosper. The town must not over over-rely on a small number of large employers; it will need to develop a broad-based economy and a skilled workforce.

You told us that you were concerned about the loss of employment in the area as local firms rationalise and reduce their workforce.

The Partnership will therefore support projects designed to encourage local enterprise, investment, training, and local purchasing.

This will include issues, such as:

• The future of the GEC site.
• Further expansion and investment at Hampton Business Park.
• Workforce training to meet the needs of employers and potential investors.
• Employment opportunities in the villages.

The Partnership will work with the Chamber of Commerce, developers and local authorities to secure new investment, jobs and a skilled workforce.

You told us you wanted better public transport such as the recently improved rail service or 'hopper' buses. You wanted less unnecessary traffic in the town centre. You also wanted better access to facilities such as local health care and leisure services.

The Partnership will support initiatives and projects that:

• Improve access to the town from the surrounding villages.
• Improve access to the railway station by bus.
• Further improve rail services.
• Improve the cycle network throughout the area.

The Partnership will work with the Wiltshire County Council Passenger Transport Unit, transport operators and local people to help meet these needs.

You told us many times that you were unhappy about the quality of the local environment in the town. You wanted better conditions in the town centre and in housing areas. You were concerned especially about the impact of traffic.

The Partnership will support projects
designed to:

• Improve older residential areas.
• Enhance the historic areas of the town and local villages.
• Improve access to open areas and green spaces.
• Protect the amenities of village communities.

The Partnership will work with the West Wiltshire District Council Planning Department, developers and others to help secure an improved built and natural environment.

Projects described as In Progress are at various stages ranging from a simple statement of the idea through to schemes submitted for support but not yet approved.

Projects described as •••DONE••• have been completed and
are in use by the community or are about to commence
being used.