MAJOR improvement works to enhance the setting of St George's Chapel in Great Yarmouth will start on Monday with the aim of having changes to traffic flows in place before the run-up to Christmas is in full swing.

MAJOR improvement works to enhance the setting of St George's Chapel in Great Yarmouth will start on Monday with the aim of having changes to traffic flows in place before the run-up to Christmas is in full swing.

The initial phase of the �8.5m regeneration project will see changes made to the highway layout, including the introduction of a new one-way system that will run southwards (away from the Market Place) along King Street and northwards (towards the Market Place) along Deneside.

Final funder approval for work to start was given on Wednesday, and time limits on the availability of some of the funding mean that a start of work before Christmas is essential.

The highway works will include the realignment of Yarmouth Way to help restore the setting of the chapel to that of its historic footprint, while allowing the green corridor that was started as part of the St George's Park refurbishment to be extended along Yarmouth Way through to King Street.

This will eventually run from the seafront through to South Quay. An enhanced pedestrian environment is a key aspect of the proposals.

Also included in this phase of works are widened pavements along King Street, improvements to Regent Road at the north (town centre) end of King Street, cycle links and improved street lighting.

It is hoped to publicise outline proposals for the enhancement of St George's Chapel itself and a purpose built new pavilion later in the autumn.

The one-way switch to King Street and Deneside is programmed to come into operation around mid-November and before the main Christmas build-up. The early introduction of the one-way flows will assist traffic management during construction and reduce the need for temporary two-way traffic signals.

The highway works are programmed for completion by Easter 2010, and every effort will be made to minimise disruption to residents and businesses during the works.

During this phase of works, the existing trees, which have outgrown their current setting and are causing problems to the nearby highway drainage system through root ingress, are to be felled. They will be replaced with trees that will enhance the newly formed public square and extended green corridor.

A number of modifications have been made to the proposals following the recent public consultation. The changes are:

Bus stop on Deneside outside No 55 (Friends Bistro) moved to Regent Street outside No. 41-43, and the disabled parking bay extended.

Loading bay located opposite Friends Bistro.

Additional 60min parking bay added to the northern end of Deneside (east side).

30 minute parking bay on King Street changed to 60 minute to be consistent with other parking bays in the vicinity.

Theatre Plain (behind M&S) - prohibition of parking limited to 6am-6pm to allow for evening parking.

Controlled crossing along Yarmouth Way moved slightly eastwards to avoid an adjacent access.

The scheme information and progress reports will be posted in the Comeunity Neighbourhood Centre opposite St George's Chapel (143 King Street) throughout the works.

The project is being jointly funded by the Government's Sea Change programme, English Heritage, East of England Development Agency, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Norfolk County Council.