The plans include improvements to public open space and enhanced transport links.

Also included in the scheme is a new package of pedestrian, cycle, public realm, highway and bus interchange improvements to Station Road, Walliscote Road, Alexandra Parade and Francis Fox Road.

The scheme is set to receive £2.95m of funding from the Department for Transport’s National Productivity Investment Fund and £1.5m from the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership.

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“Weston has changed significantly since the railway station and Alexandra Parade were built when the population was much smaller and we had none of the traffic we have these days,” said North Somerset Council’s deputy leader Cllr Elfan Ap Rees.

“This scheme will ensure the town centre is better able to meet the current and future employment and residential growth planned for Weston.”

Following consultation and approval of the detailed design, the first phase of the project will focus on Station Road with works due to take place between January and June next year.

Work on phase two in Alexandra Parade will follow in the autumn of 2019 and be completed by early 2020.