The wheels have begun turning on a programme of maintenance and repairs at a five council-run car parks around East Hampshire.

Car parks operated by East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) in Alton and Petersfield are set for a minor makeover as part of a £100,000 improvement scheme.

The works planned for the coming weeks include resurfacing and maintenance with contractors Rocon starting today (Monday) at the Turk Street site in Alton.

The council expects the contractors to “spend a day or two at each site” before moving onto the next.

Workers are expected to spend today and tomorrow at Turk Street before heading to Lady Place for three days.

The programme – which aims to keep the car parks looking “safe and smart” – will then head to Petersfield with the Festival Hall, Swan Street and Central sites getting work.

Work at the Festival Hall site has been earmarked for this Thursday and Friday, with a three-day programme expected to begin at the Swan Street car park next Tuesday (September 1).

The programme will culminate with a week of work from next Thursday, September 3, at Central Car Park in Petersfield.

It’s weather dependent, of course, while safety and traffic management measures will be in place while the work is being carried out, to reduce the impact on car park users and surrounding properties.

Cllr Tony Costigan, EHDC Portfolio Holder for Property, said: "Car parks are an important part of our communities.

“They are the main gateway into our towns and it is really vital that they look good, that they're welcoming and create a great first impression for visitors.

“We ask people to pay for car parking in Alton and Petersfield so it is right that the money raised is used to maintain them. This latest round of improvements should bring some of our most well-used car parks into excellent condition.”

Cllr Costigan added: “This isn't the end of the work - we already have plans to roll out our improvement programme to other towns and villages around the district.”

The council has also begun distributing food waste caddies around the district ahead of collections being launched in October. Distribution to all participating homes and properties is expected to take six weeks with the first caddy being delivered last week.

Residents who have received a caddy have been urged not to use them until the week of their first collection.