CONTROVERSIAL proposals to transform Romsey's main shopping centre into a car-free zone has divided the town.

The president of the Romsey Chamber of Commerce Peter Speirs believes the drastic move will encourage more shoppers to town and traders will benefit as a result.

However, his idea has proved controversial, sparking opposition from traders and residents.

Mr Speirs, who runs Humbugs sweet shop in Latimer Street, said the current enhancement work in Church Street could be the first step to pedestrianisation of the town centre and it make it safer.

He said: “I would like to see the whole town centre pedestrianised.

“Romsey is an absolute nightmare for wheelchair users with the uneven pavements in the town and all the traffic. Bell Street and the Market Place should all be done.”

“The Church Street enhancements are welcomed. The short-term is going to be a pain while it is being done, but it will benefit in the long-term.”

Daily Echo:

Peter Speirs

He added: “If the council is not going to close off the town centre to all traffic, there should be a 10mph or 20mph speed limit there. Traffic speeds through at times.”

However, market trader Darren Pile, 46, is against pedestrianising the town centre.

He said: " It's a bad idea.You have only got to look around at the Cornmarket and see the state of it with broken slabs and blocks. They just get left for ages and then tarmac is put in the holes.

"I wouldn't want Romsey looking like the new Andover. I love Romsey because it has character and would not want to see that changed. I am definitely not in favour of shared surfaces. It's a complete waste of money."

Sharing that stance is Romsey town centre manager Mark Edgerley who believes that making streets more appealing for pedestrians is the best solution.

Mr Edgerley said: “I would love to see a partial traffic ban in The Hundred, I think it would encourage people to stay longer because it would be easier for people with children, without having to worry about traffic. It may not be able to have full closure as access is needed for deliveries.

“I would suspect a 9am to 5pm closure may be good to try on say Saturdays and Friday.”

He added he would like to see the Market Place being used as additional space for Romsey’s weekly markets which are currently held in the Cornmarket.

“The market could be spread over a wider site on days it is open,” said Mr Edgerley, adding that an area outside the NatWest Bank would be an idea site for cafe tables.

Mr Edgerley also pointed out Church Street and Bell Street would have to remain open for residential access to homes there.

He added: “Funding for these works could come from developers building around the town, as is the case with the current Church Street works.”

“I am always amazed by lack of consideration of drivers of all ages, these are often same people who park illegally too, not sure they have an interest in regulation nor is there much resource for enforcement.

“Perhaps we should run a name and shame campaign in the paper! It may not change them but worth a go.

“I would love to see more co-operation between all users of our streets, whether on foot, cycle, motor bike, car or bus - consideration by all for all should be our motto,” concluded Mr Edgerley.

Romsey’s county councillor Mark Cooper is also against full pedestrianisation.

He added: “Pedestrianisation on its own cannot happen because of the lack of access for deliveries to shops.

“Some years ago a shared surface system idea was put forward and this was met with a lot of enthusiasm and three or four years ago a group of councillors including myself and Clive Collier looked at the concept of shared surfaces and ways to implement the idea.

“Myself and Clive pushed for the shared surface concept so that pedestrians are the owners of the space.

“This means when a vehicle goes into the shared space the drivers move forward much more carefully.

“The system does work and it does slow people down.” said Mr Cooper.

However, there is some support for Mr Speirs' proposal.

Despite being a delivery driver Alan Goode, of Romsey, believes the move could make the centre safer for shoppers and children.

The 28-year-old said: "People come steaming through the town centre.

"There are a lot of elderly people and people with children who have problems trying to get across the road because of all the cars coming through the town centre.

"The cars should be stopped from coming through.

"If they are not going to stop them, they should put in more zebra or pelican crossings.

"It needs to be made safer for pedestrians."