ALTON rose to the challenge last week with the launch of the much-heralded Mill Lane regeneration project. Designed to give the town's business area a new lease of life, the project forms part of a £100,000 initiative, which aims to look at what improvements are necessary and how to achieve the transformation of the former 60s industrial estate into an attractive, modern business park which can compete on equal terms with neighbouring facilities to develop existing and attract new business. A prime example of partnership working, the original drive for a regeneration project came from Alton Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was taken up by East Hampshire District Council economic development manager, Mike Gibbs. It was Mr Gibbs who helped the town secure funding under the SEEDA (South East England Development Agency) small rural towns programme. This was match-funded by East Hampshire District Council to help stimulate economic growth in Alton. Alton Initiative Management (AIM) Ltd worked with Mike Gibbs to put forward the successful bid and has fielded town initiatives manager Vernon Pearce as the project's business improvement facilitator. The money was secured through the Alton Town Partnership (ATP) - the regeneration of the Mill Lane estate being high on the "wish list" contained in the "Vision for Alton 2020" plan. Some of the key areas to focus on have already been identified, such as the state of the road and the grass verges, insufficient parking provision and the general run-down appearance of the area. And while delegates attending the launch meeting were told that some improvements had already been made, it was clear there was still much work to do. Hosted by Opus Telecom, the launch was an upbeat occasion with an optimism that partnership working could bring about necessary change. While flagging up that Mill Lane was "a major gateway" to Alton's commercial zone which needed to make the right impression, and that the state of the road itself was "appalling", Vernon Pearce was convinced that this initiative would provide the catalyst for change - the key being to encourage the right people to come on board. He told the meeting: "I am excited by this opportunity to work together with local businesses, local authorities, environmental groups and government departments, but there is a lot of work to be done in persuading them to push the Mill Lane area up their list of priorities and allocate sufficient funds for much-needed improvements." While the majority of problems identified more than a year ago still exist, Mr Pearce said he had been encouraged by the recent refurbishment of two derelict factory sites, one in Newman Lane, the other in Mill Lane, which he viewed as a positive indication of things to come. There was particular concern expressed about the state of the road and of the grass verges, and about the volume of traffic using Mill Lane. Although plans had been tabled for improvements to the junction at the Holybourne end of Mill Lane, which would provide an additional lane to help traffic leaving the area in the rush hour, delegates felt this was inadequate and that traffic lights would be a better solution. It was feared the situation would deteriorate rapidly once the new Focus superstore opened. And Hampshire County Council's highways representative could offer little comfort. He told the meeting that there was no provision in the 2006/7 budget for badly-needed repairs to the Mill Lane road surface and no prospect in sight of improvements to the grass verges - a statement that did not go down well with any of those present. There was good news, however, from the Environment Agency whose representative outlined plans to clear the River Wey at the rear of Newman Lane of much of the overgrowing vegetation this summer, as part of a flood defence programme. "It could be a tremendous asset to local businesses and their staff and to the people of Alton if we could eventually make the river accessible from Kings Pond, right the way through to the Neatham Mills at Holybourne" said Mr Pearce. Both the Northern Wey Trust and Oakhanger Angling Club, who own the lake opposite the former Hampshire Commercials site, pledged to get together, with the support of neighbouring businesses, to help improve the amenity of the river. This particular Alton 2020 business initiative comprises a package of four linked improvement projects: l The largest and most challenging project aims to promote the regeneration of the Mill Lane Industrial Estate through, among other initiatives, the creation and co-ordination of an effective Business Network. l Developing business networking more widely across the town to encourage partnering in competition for contracts and services across the region. l The delivery of a local business development package to further improve business competitiveness and recruitment of graduates within the town's enterprises. l A customer care training package to help improve the visitor experience of the town by providing training and development initiatives for the town's retail, hospitality businesses. Further details on the business initiative can be obtained from Vernon Pearce on 01420 473613, by email [email protected]">[email protected] or visit the Alton Town Partnership web site at http://www.altontown.co.uk">www.altontown.co.uk
