A 12-week project to try and enhance March Market Place has finished. 

The market place was reopened to the public on April 4 after Fenland District Council confirmed that the £440,000 improvements had been completed. 

A spokesperson for Fenland Council said: “The project, which started on January 9, completed on time despite final resurfacing works being delayed by wet weather and cold overnight conditions. 

“The car park reopened on Tuesday, April 4, with market traders returning for their first market back on Saturday, April 8.” 

The revamped market place includes a re-tarmacked car park, wider bays for larger vehicles, traffic control bollards and new benches. 

Cambs Times: Some of the improvements to March Market Place include a re-tarmacked car park, wider parking bays and new benches.Some of the improvements to March Market Place include a re-tarmacked car park, wider parking bays and new benches. (Image: Daniel Mason)

Three disabled bays have been retained but relocated to the western side of the market place, but the number of car parking spaces has been cut to 23 spaces. 

Fenland Council said this is “to accommodate larger vehicles and reduce the risk of collisions. 

“The refurbishment and repainting of existing street furniture, including bollards, signs and banner arms, is due to be carried out shortly.” 

READ MORE: When will March Market Place reopen to the public?

Cambs Times: New benches are some of the improvements made to March Market Place.New benches are some of the improvements made to March Market Place. (Image: Daniel Mason)

Since January, markets usually held on Wednesdays and Saturdays have been held in the City Road car park while the work has taken place.   

Fenland Council said the City Road car park will be reopened next week after the Easter weekend. 

The Market Place improvements are part of a wider £8.4 million project to improve the town centre as part of the March Future High Streets Fund programme. 

Cambs Times: March Market Place now boasts a re-tarmacked car park, with traders due to return this weekend.March Market Place now boasts a re-tarmacked car park, with traders due to return this weekend. (Image: Daniel Mason)

A report on regenerating March as part of the Growing Fenland project, part of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority's Market Towns Programme stated that improvements to the town centre are needed. 

READ MORE: £8.4m March transformation project to start next month

It said that although “March is a friendly town with many assets and strengths, to continue to prosper we know that we need to improve the town centre, build the right homes in the right places, make best use of empty business premises.” 

The report also said it aims to “help businesses develop and grow, and keep hold of learners and workers” in the town.