WORK to repave and pedestrianise Staines High Street will begin after Christmas now that a contractor has been appointed to complete the £1.3 million contract.

The long-awaited scheme, which includes extensive tree planting, will give the street a boulevard appearance and will remove traffic completely.

After considering the tenders received, Spelthorne Council's Executive appointed contractors Carillion to carry out the work, which was designed by the council's consultants, Aspen.

Welcoming the announcement, Anne Damerell, secretary of heritage group Staines Town Society, said: "It will be nice to have a traditional High Street. We are generally pleased with the proposal."

She also praised the fact that the landscaping design 'reflects Staines' Roman heritage' in that it copies the shape of the Roman road buried underneath the High Street.

But she expressed concerns about the possibility of vandalism to the trees and added: "I doubt whether they will all survive 350 drunks on a Saturday night."

The scheme will be funded by the council with a contribution of £675,000 from Surrey County Council.

Ed Searnancke, the council's portfolio holder for the environment, warned there would be some disruption because of the complexity and scale of the project, but has asked people to be patient while work is carried out.

By.Stuart McGuiness