THORNBURY Town Council has agreed to play a major part in the implementation of the town centre strategy.

Councillors have said they will do all they can to make sure actions assigned to the council will be completed to help improve the town.

The commitment comes after a draft action plan for the Thornbury Town Centre Strategy was tabled at a meeting of the town council held earlier this month.

The strategy was actually launched last year with several exhibitions and a public consultation with the aim of boosting the viability and vitality of Thornbury.

Those behind the strategy hope it will develop the economic and environmental prosperity of the town while protecting its historic and cultural assets.

Cllr Shirley Holloway, who is part of the steering group leading the project and also a town councillor, said: "This strategy has been at least a year in the making and now we are down to the action points and the town council has been designated the lead organisation in some areas.

"It has been suggested that the action plan be referred to the council’s finance and policy committee. Members there can then decide which council committee would be best suited to tackle the different points."

Areas of responsibility given to the town council include improving pedestrian friendly measures in the town centre, upgrading facilities such as the library and Armstrong Hall, improving awareness of local employment and encouraging greater community involvement.

"A lot of the points will involve the town council working closely with South Gloucestershire Council," she said.

"We are now on the look out for people with particular skills to help take this strategy forward, particularly people with marketing skills."

Other organisations involved in the action plan are Thornbury Chamber of Trade, the Town Centre Partnership and the Peer Group, which owns the St Mary Shopping Centre.

A copy of the Thornbury Town Centre Strategy is available to view by visiting www.thornburytowncouncil.gov.uk