WORKS could be carried out to improve transportation links in and around Ringwood as part of the plans to widen the A31.

Footpaths, pedestrian crossings and carriageways could be worked on to improve access for the market town using part of the funds under the A31 improvement scheme.

Other funds could be used from allocated developers contributions.

A working party set up to process which transport schemes should be implemented is set to present its recommendations to Ringwood Town Council's planning committee today (FRI).

It is recommended that the provision of a toucan crossing be implemented at Castleman Way close to the junction of New Street and to connect the walking and cycling routes from the south and west with the route into the town centre via Victoria Gardens, Quomp and The Close.

The report states: "As part of the A31 Improvement Scheme, Highways England had indicated that there may be scope to include some small town centre projects, for example upgrades to the pedestrian highway, within the scheme's overall budget."

There are five additional works that could be carried out as part of the improvement plans, should the committee approve the report.

They include improving signs and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists from Gravel Lane to Furlong Car Park and Southampton Road and improving links between the car park and town centre including tactile paving and dropped crossings between the Furlong Car Park and Market Place and High Street;

It also includes improving facilities for pedestrians to create greater footfall at High Street and West Street by introducing dropped crossings at High Street. This could include proposals by the church to create a new pedestrian link from the shopping centre to Market Place via the churchyard.

There are also plans to carry out landscape and streetscape works at High Street and Market Place and to implement a strategic on-road cycle route from the A31 to Mansfield Road via West Street.