LONG-term plans to make New Milton a better place to work and live have been tabled by a co-operative of councillors and the business community.

The draft Action Plan for New Milton and Barton-on-Sea will go before town councillors at Monday's council meeting.

Drawn up by members of New Milton Town Partnership, the vision contained in the draft is "to build an inclusive community with a vibrant economy, where it is good to live, work, visit and invest".

Some of the ideas put forward since the concept was first suggested more than two years ago have been put into action.

They include the successful Wednesday street market, publication of two editions of Chill, a magazine produced by teenagers for teenagers, and a roundabout at the junction of Whitefield Road with Old Milton Road and Gore Road.

A play and youth forum is now co-ordinating youth work in the town, a project worker for deprived areas is also in place and pavement improvements in the shopping centre are scheduled to take place next year.

Plans being worked on at the moment include constructing a purpose-built children's day nursery on the former boys' club site to get parents back to work and earning.

Also underway is the creation of a town events and organisations website, a feasibility study to improve the "tired-looking" town centre and a the publication of an integrated transport timetable.

Investigations are underway into how to improve the Ashley Road/Spencer Road traffic lights, including periods of non-operation to prevent unnecessary hold-ups.

Longer-term projects include improving information for visitors and an environmental improvement plan for Ballard Lake and Barton cliffs which are noted for their fossils.

A family centre with youth annexe complete with detached youth team is a medium term prospect.

Long-term projects to improve the lot of the town's teenage population include a swap shop and a coffee shop meeting point.

Co-ordinator Alison Talbot said: "We're still keen to hear other people's ideas.

"Some we will hit brick walls with and others will be fliers."

First published: October 27