OKEHAMPTON'S shopkeepers and residents have been promised a boost in trade and property prices — provided they can withstand another summer of disruption from roadworks.

Unlike work by water, gas and a telecommunications company last year, which caused major congestion in the town centre, traders are set to see huge benefits from an enhancement scheme to turn Okehampton into a mecca for shoppers and tourists.

At a public meeting in the Charter Hall last Thursday, plans by local architect Peter Woodgate for Fore Street and West Street were described as 'brilliant' and 'superb'.

But concern was expressed that another season of digging up the roads could finish off some businesses.

After hearing proposals for landscaping the two streets with trees, plants, paving and seats, adding artwork, sculptures and lighting and promoting Okehampton's individuality and heritage, Sarah Parker, of Sweet Success, questioned whether the scheme was worth affecting businesses for.

'It is lovely and I can see a lot of hard work has been done,' she said. 'The complications of it are that some shops will go bankrupt.

'People can look at wonderful things but if there are no shops to buy things from it is a waste of time.'

Elaine Chasty, of Chasty's Shoes in East Street, said people had been driven away by the lack of parking facilities during the construction of Waitrose on the site of the old shoppers' car park and had not returned.

'People are not going to want to come back if the roads are being dug up again — it is our (shopkeepers) livelihoods, homes and everything else at stake here,' she said.

But traders were told there was 'no pain without gain' and the majority opinion at the meeting was in favour of the enhancement plan.

Mayor Christine Marsh explained that the project would have to be completed by the end of September or the town would lose out on vital European funding.

The town council has pledged £4,000 towards one of the enhancement ideas — a wall sculpture of a hiker in St James' Street.

'If we do not go for this now we will not have another chance,' said Cllr Marsh.

Neil Hancox, of DIY Supplies, said the proposals were 'brilliant' and could not be turned down.

'This is good for Okehampton and something we should be aiming for,' he said.

If the town could bite the bullet for a few months, it would gain a monumental lift, said Peter Woodgate.

'I am just trying to make the town more attractive,' he added. 'As a result more people will come into town and it will boost your trade and enhance the value of your properties.'

The meeting was told by deputy chief executive of West Devon Borough Council David Inman there was evidence that people were coming back to Okehampton, not least from the increase in car parking revenue.

He said: 'We have to think about what is around the corner and bettering the town for everybody's benefit.

'This is a three to four month scheme and different elements will be done at different times — it will not require the whole of the road to be dug up.'

Local service officer Mike Parnell described the plans as the 'icing on the cake' after the construction of Waitrose and Lidl and all the rest of the improvements works over the past year.

He said there were highways-related works such as replacing traffic lights that needed to be done anyway whether or not the whole project went ahead and these would cause some minor disruption for drivers.

'It is important to remember that this is a town scheme, not a county council or borough council scheme and for the benefit of the community,' he said.

'It has provided a new impetus for the town and I thank Peter for that.'