A DYNAMIC action plan including 14 ambitious and exciting schemes aimed at attracting people, business and major grant funding into Tavistock is due to be launched in the town next month.
The Towns Alive plan is a blueprint for the future prosperity of Tavistock, worked up after a series of meetings throughout the winter, spearheaded by the Tavistock Forward group.
It is hoped the action plan, created by traders and business people, will encourage significant grant aid into Tavistock over the next few years, including European Objective 2 funding and cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The plan includes multi-million pound projects like re-opening the Tavistock to Plymouth rail link and simple schemes like information plaques on public buildings.
A presentation of the proposals has been given to Tavistock Town Council, which has offered wholehearted support to the programme.
Tavistock's mayor, Cllr Judith Williams, said: 'I am delighted — it's the only way to try and go forward for the town.
'I am particularly pleased other people are involved.
'Normally it's been the same people turning up to meetings over the years, but this is the first time the shopping community and traders have had real input into the town.'
She said the launch of the plan should proceed quickly in order to keep momentum and enthusiasm going.
John Taylor, chairman of Tavistock Forward, said he was 'very positive' about the future of the town and very pleased with the council's response to the plan.
'I am absolutely delighted they were so positive and supportive. It will be nice to work with them and the rest of the community.'
The plan is due to be launched in early June in the town hall, when representatives from major fund holders like the Rural Development Agency and the Key Fund will be invited.
Applications for Objective 2 funding will be submitted this Autumn.
One of the most ambitious schemes is the re-opening of the Plymouth to Tavistock railway, which could be of tremendous benefit to the town, not only for commuters but tourists as well.
A project co-ordinator and a town centre manager will be appointed to implement and guide schemes through.
David Inman, deputy chief executive of West Devon Borough Council, said copies of the action plan had been distributed to members of the strategic development committee.
He said although meetings had been curtailed because of the foot and mouth crisis, he felt members were 'very supportive of the initiative'.
'We will be nominating a member to the co-ordinating group and offering officer support to progress many of the concepts outlined in the document — we will try to assist in whatever way we can,' he said.
Major initiatives included in the Tavistock Towns Alive action plan are:
l Rail link to Plymouth
l A new in-town car park
l Removal of overhead wires
l An extension of the relief road
l Increased in-town sports facilities, like an ice rink, ten-pin bowling alley or dance and fitness area.
l An Edwardian interpretation scheme for the Meadows
l Promotion of the town's Bedford heritage
l Toilet improvement scheme
l Improved river access
l A signs audit and better signing of the town off the main county roads.
A huge range of more than 80 other schemes are being actively pursued by working groups who have taken part in the Towns Alive programme.
They have been sub-divided into sections.
l Town marketing including ideas like a banners scheme, themed trading days, a franking message for all town businesses to use, a town logo, open vehicle visitor trips and a monthly event calendar.
l Commercial progression will be encouraged by such suggestions as a hanging basket scheme for the town centre, murals in empty shops, shoppers' maps and a co-ordinated painting scheme for town shops.
l Community ideas include a tree planting campaign, bulb planting, Bedford Square artistic performances, buskers competitions, litter picks, musical events and an Internet and youth café promotion.
l Tavistock could also be improved by better illumination of town buildings, improved street furniture, development of river walks and a town May Pole.