An area of High Wycombe that has been blighted by antisocial behaviour is set to get a £109,000 makeover in a bid to make it “safer and more welcoming” for families who have previously avoided the area.

Frogmoor has made headlines in recent years amid concerns that people are avoiding the area and businesses are “suffering badly” because of anti-social behaviour and street drinking – and police were slammed by Wycombe District Council for not “stepping up” to tackle crimes in the town centre.

Now Wycombe District Council (WDC) is proposing some improvements to Frogmoor as a temporary measure until plans for the nearby Chilterns Shopping Centre come to fruition.

The plans include new curved benches and bollards, which Elaine Jewell, head of community at WDC, says will stop vehicles parking on the pavements.

At a meeting of the High Wycombe town committee, she said it would help “protect the perimeter” and stop cars pulling up.

She said: “At the moment we have a bit of an issue with people parking on Frogmoor – that will stop. We are adding some bollards as well.

“People shouldn’t be parking on Frogmoor and we will make sure they can’t do that.

“It will be quite modern, attractive benching because they one we have at the moment is coming to the end of its life.

“We are putting lots of armrests in so people can’t sleep on them.

“We’re doing all that we can to make sure it’s a welcoming environment for everyone.”

The improvements are expected to be completed this year.

A plan to add a round raised bed where the fountain used to be will not be going ahead, due to fears over what is underneath the ground there – but the “crumbly” concrete will be replaced.

Cllr Brian Pearce also reignited the discussion about installing a frog statue in the area to improve the area for families.

He said: “It looks like a lovely idea to make it into a nice area.

“It has been suggested that we have a frog statue as it is Frogmoor, it could be cute for kids and would encourage families to visit.

“I know it may sound silly but I think it could be a great attraction – especially if we had a mummy, daddy and baby frog with water cascading from their mouths.”

Ms Jewell added: “The main thing I was asked to look at is making it feel welcoming. It is not a particularly friendly space at the moment and some of the behaviours there don’t make people want to stay.

“I’m not looking to solve the future of Frogmoor – I’m just trying to address some of the issues and make it function better.”

She said the Chilterns Shopping Centre redevelopment could see more long-term improvements made.