THE �3 million-pound Strand makeover took a significant step to being realised this week, as council bosses holding the purse-strings earmarked the cash. Devon County Council s Cabinet agreed to take �2 million from its capital programme, this week,

THE �3 million-pound Strand makeover took a significant step to being realised this week, as council bosses holding the purse-strings earmarked the cash.

Devon County Council's Cabinet agreed to take �2 million from its capital programme, this week, to spend on the scheme.

They backed the latest designs for the enhancement proposals which, following public consultation, will include changes to the traffic flow, more seating, an events area, development of the caf� quarter, changes to the raised flower beds and a general increase in public space.

Also backed were changes to traffic laws which will regulate the speed, movement and parking of vehicles.

While yesterday (Wednesday) East Devon District Council's Executive Board was set to earmark an additional �1 million as its contribution.

The progress made this week prompted a plea from EDDC's Exmouth Champion and Town mayor Darryl Nicholas for both authorities to work closely with the town hall.

Before the EDDC meeting, councillor Nicholas said: "I feel passionately that this is a fantastic opportunity for us all to shape the future prosperity of Exmouth's retail centre - and with it, the future prosperity of the town.

"Schemes like this cannot be implemented in isolation from the other challenges that the town faces - such as how best to capitalise on its triple attractions of arts, leisure and environment to ensure that Exmouth is in the strongest possible position to come out of the recession...

"I'd like to call on everyone to work together to ensure that The Strand is the focal point of a carefully constructed master plan for the greater good of the town.

"We need to ensure that the town centre is a magnet for shoppers, the people who live here, as well as the visitors.

"We also want to see other parts of our lovely town enhanced and made more vibrant - areas such as the seafront - as well as finding new employment land for the businesses of the future.

"We have made a great start by involving the whole community... I want to ensure that we carry on in the same vein, so that the rest of the town is boosted along the same lines, car parking, new shop development, the transport infrastructure and so on.