Newtown plans to pedestrianise town centre street

Plans to pedestrianise one of two streets in Newtown town centre are to be put out to public consultation.

The town council is asking for opinions about making either High Street or Broad Street car-free areas.

Plans are to initially pedestrianise one of the streets on market day on Tuesdays, with the aim of eventually making it permanent.

Mayor Rina Clarke said the proposal could boost town centre trade which had suffered in recent years.

"We'll be asking the public, the chamber of commerce and market traders to take part in the consultation which starts after Christmas," she said.

"There are plenty of precedents for closing streets in the town centre on an ad hoc basis.

"The Wales Rally GB will be here next week and the main street will be closed for that. We close the streets when we put on the Christmas lights and when we have a food festival.

"The town centre has suffered in recent years because of the effect of out-of-town stores so pedestrianisation could hopefully boost town centre trade."