UPDATED plans to improve Witham Town Centre will be released to the public in the next few weeks.

Retail consultants GVA put forward plans in 2014, which were given the green light by Braintree Council last year.

The proposals were:

•Creating a Market Square at the junction of Newland Street and Guithavon Street

•Moving the market from Lockram Lane to the new Market Square

•Improving the efficacy of signage in the town centre

•Creating a better pedestrian link between the two shopping centres – referred to as a Shopper Friendly Link

A detailed design master-plan is being drawn up, and the district council is in talks with Witham Town Council and the Town Team.

Tom Cunningham, cabinet member of economic development, said: "Following the overwhelming public support for the proposals, we have been conducting engineering studies, working with local people and the Highways Authority to generate design work that can make the proposals a reality.

"We will be consulting on our updated plans based on the feedback from the community in the next few weeks.

"We are just waiting for the technical drawings to come through, the money is there ready to go."

The scheme was welcomed by 80 per cent of respondents last year.

Tina Townsend, from Witham Town Team, has been working with GVA to suggest ways to improve the Town Centre.

She said: "The plans are looking really good and we have had talks with the planners, who have said they have taken into consideration our suggestions.

"We look forward to seeing the final draft, it's very positive and we really want it to go ahead sooner rather than later.

"The Market Square is a great idea, it will be a community-based area which the town can use for a pop up market.

"With all the housing planned there is a slight concern we will need the infrastructure to support it, but hopefully people will embrace the changes."