A £664,000 plan to further pedestrianise the Cultural Quarter and 'increase connectivity' could be completed by May.

On Monday, the executive board approved the budget and agreed the contractor for the work, which forms part of a town centre 'masterplan'.

It will see the southern section of Springfield Street become changed to a shared-used area along the side of Queen's Gardens between Palmyra Square North and South.

Work is planned to start in January and should be finished by May.

In the long term, council bosses want to link the area to Bridge Street via the revamped Cabinet Works site.

The proposals also include an increase in on-street parking in the area and lengthening of the duration of stay.

A key aim of the plan is to conserve the historic street pattern, while delivering a 'pedestrian-friendly' area and 'increasing connectivity'.

During Monday's meeting, Cllr Dan Price, executive board member for culture and partnerships, acknowledged that 'there have been a couple of hurdles' prior to the decision.

He added: "This is a piece of work which has been a number of years in the making.

"We took on the concerns from residents and businesses and revised the plan."