Ambitious plans for the centre of Bodmin are being realised with the start of work next week on the transformation of the Dennison Road, Church Square and Turf Street landscape.

From tomorrow, highways crews will begin work on the low speed environment scheme, which will see narrowed carriageways, wider pavements and new surfacing, including a granite paved area at Church Square.

The scheme is part of the wider Building a Better Bodmin project - a series of road improvements, ranging from minor highway changes to new junctions. The project aims to improve traffic flows, make it safer for people walking and cycling in the area and provide a catalyst for the regeneration of the town centre.

During the works, which will also see a major upgrade to the reinforcement of leat running under several streets, Dennison Road (at the junction with Berrycombe Road), Church Square and Turf Street will be closed. The closures will come into effect from 7pm on Monday evening, to avoid clashing with the last of the overnight closures at the A30 Temple, which end at 6am on Monday morning.

During the construction period, visitors and shoppers to Bodmin will be able to park for free in several town car parks from Monday.