TRADERS and taxi drivers have objected to plans to further pedestrianise Warrington town centre.

Members of the council's Traffic Panel will meet on Monday to discuss proposals to impose a blanket ban on vehicles in streets including Buttermarket Street, Horsemarket Street, Market Gate and Town Hill between 10.30am and 5pm.

But they are expected to amend the plans to allow permit-holding drivers to operate inside those hours, after six Warrington firms argued that it would interfere with their delivery schedules.

The permits would be issued by the Director of Environmental Services in consultation with the Town Centre Manager. They would authorise cars and light goods vehicles to load and unload from properties fronting the restricted streets.

Objectors included Russell Furnishings, Hancock & Wood, MA Hopkinson & Son, Fast Film, Walmsley Furnishing and Roberts & Son.

Protests also came from taxi drivers, whose Horsemarket Street rank is to be relocated to Town Hill. They argued that it would cause difficulties to disabled passengers and those loaded with prams and shopping, as they would have to travel some distance to the access ramp to Golden Square, off Horsemarket Street.

The vehicle ban will also apply to Horrocks Lane, Union Street, Bridge Street and Bank Street, and the restricted area in Buttermarket Street is to be extended beyond Yates's Wine Lodge.

Outside of restricted hours, a one-way system will operate in Buttermarket Street, through Market Gate to Horsemarket Street.

The changes are linked with the town centre art programme and are designed to make the area more accessible.

The Panel has also promised to review cycle use in the town centre and will consult with cycling groups next month.

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