WORK is now well underway to make improvements to Callington Town Centre more than three years after money for enhancement was dedicated by superstore Tesco.

Changes are being made in the town to slow traffic, improve pedestrian access and increase parking provision using the Section 106 monies received following the Tesco store opening in August 2010.

A contribution of more than £149,000 was made by Tesco for community enhancement.

A number of consultations have taken place on proposals put together by a working group comprising traders, councillors and community leaders, on which members of the public were encouraged to give their views.

After a number of changes to the proposals, which included scrapping the idea of a one-way system through the town after little support from the public, the changes given the go-ahead include pavement widening in Fore Street and increased on-street parking, including a disabled bay.

The Belisha Beacons on Fore Street will be taken down and granite curbing will be put in to narrow the road in two places, which is hoped to reduce traffic speed. Areas will be marked out for parking, with restricted times, in areas along Fore Street and New Road, with a disabled bay being put in outside the chemist in Fore Street.

Coloured and tactile paving will also be put in on various roads in the town centre to aid the access across roads for pedestrians; the footpath will be widened at pinch points on Church Street; a puffin crossing will be put in by the main traffic lights at the top of Fore Street; a yellow box junction will be placed at the entrance to New Road and general improved road markings will be carried out in various areas.

The work is being carried out by Cornwall Council, as well as separate patching work being undertaken in the town, which is not included in the enhancement work.

Cornwall councillor for Callington Andrew Long said: 'I have been pushing for the work to be done and to be started as soon as it was agreed. It has gone through three consultations and has changed every time.

'Now it is a question of getting it sorted. I'm looking forward to the work being finished and having the traffic lights returned to normality.'