A complete makeover is set to transform a shabby pedestrian route into an attractive gateway leading to Brentwood town centre.

Operation "groundforce" is about to begin in the churchyard of St Thomas of Canterbury in Brentwood.

The churchyard, which links St Thomas' Road to Queen's Road, is seen as one of the key green areas in the town with tremendous scope for improvement.

Brentwood Borough Council, who manage the churchyard, are planning a package of improvements, including replacing the holly hedge at the Queen's Road entrance with railings.

The makeover is welcomed by Brentwood Town Centre Partnership which is to contribute a "significant sum" towards the cost of the new railings.

Funding for further tree work and improved lighting is also being sought from Essex County Council as part of the Safe Routes to School initiative. The Ursuline Convent High School and St Helen's RC Infant School are located in Queen's Road.

Council bosses are hoping schools and volunteers will get involved with some of the tidying up and new planting.

Brentwood Council landscape and environment manager Steve Plumb said: "The churchyard is quite shabby in appearance and there have been problems with youths congregating in bushes and associated litter.

"There is a very tall holly hedge and holly trees at the entrance at Queen's Road and it is very oppressive. A lot of people do not like going in because they cannot see if anybody is hiding."

Mr Plumb added: "While we are not aware of incidents, the improvements will give a sense of safety to people walking through."

Brentwood Town Partnership director Michael Hardy welcomed the council's plans.

Published Tuesday December 18, 2001