Plans for the £2.62 million regeneration of Tonbridge High Street are now available for public viewing.

An exhibition is taking place today and tomorrow at Tonbridge Castle, near the High Street.

The project is planned to start in July and will see the town given a major face lift, with pavements widened, a new road surface and improved pedestrian crossings.

Dozens of residents have spent the morning viewing the proposals, with the general feeling being that they will benefit the town.

Pam Mills, of Brook Street, said: “Tonbridge needs a face lift and we need to bring more people into the town.

“By making it more attractive hopefully it will do that.

“I think involving schools and colleges to be in partnership for roundabouts, hanging baskets and lam posts - subtle things like that - will also benefit the community.”

Sandra Rhodes, of Tonbridge Road, said: “It’s got the potential but I am worried about parts of the pavement being the same level as the road.

“I think some signs are needed to promote the outer region of the High Street because there’s a lot there and it will make it more attractive.

“It is a good thing the pavements are being widened. There’s so much more people here than there used to be.”

The most noticeable change will see the middle crossing on the High Street transformed into a raised carriageway that can be used for vehicles and pedestrians- similar to what can be seen next to Maidstone’s Jubilee Square.

Existing pedestrian crossings by The Pavilion and the junction with New Wharf Road will be upgraded to puffin crossings and the widened pavements will be made of ketley clay.

The colour of this paving is designed to a blend of 65% red, 25% brown and 10% blue.

A 20mph speed limit will be enforced from the roundabout near the library to just beyond the junction with Church Lane.

The one way system which encompasses Bradford Street, River Walk and New Wharf Road will also be included in this zone.

This work will be completed in phase one and should be done by the end of Spring 2016.

A second phase planned is planned for afterwards.

This will see improvements made to the Five Ways junction, the junction with Hadlow Road and Cannon Lane and the junction at Bordyke, High Street and Lansdowne Road.

Cycle paths will also be created in the programme.

While the scheme, which was been created by Kent County Council with the support of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, is being built some disruption is expected.

Road closures will be enforced and congestion is expected but the county council says it plans to keep this to a minimum where possible.

The public exhibition of the scheme will be displayed until 4pm at Tonbridge Castle today.

Tomorrow doors will be open from 10am to 2pm.

From Monday, February 9 to Thursday, February 26 the plans will be displayed at Tonbridge Library, in Avebury Avenue.

These will be open for viewing from 9am to 5pm.