A WINCHESTER delivery driver has called on civic chiefs to abandon their traffic plans for two city centre streets.

The city council has proposed reversing the flow in Parchment Street and shutting Middle Brook Street to through traffic.

But Roger Bevan, pictured above, is angry that the impact on business drivers has not been considered.

Mr Bevan, of Fairdown Close, Fairdown, said: "It seems that successive councils are determined to close the city down. Practically every escape route is being closed. Why?" He is urging the council to reconsider before final decisions are taken.

In a letter to council leader Sheila Campbell, Mr Bevan said: "As a delivery driver I would have to navigate the one-way system three times to service St Peter, Parchment and Middle Brook Streets.

"The residents of Parchment Street must have known when they moved in that it is a main route within the city. So why are they complaining now? "Put yourself in the place of those that deliver for a living. Without these people you would have no post, parcels or many other items that the public require.

"Don't forget you are there to do the will of the people, not just those in Parchment and Middle Brook Streets."

Initially the city council suggested reversing the flow on just Parchment Street to combat the pollution caused by congestion.

But there was a furore from residents in nearby Middle Brook Street who said more traffic would use their road and blight their lives.

Reversing the flow in their road would simply create a new rat-run, they said.

Last month councillor Richard Knasel, the Cabinet portfolio holder for transport, dropped the closure idea which has been supported by people living in Middle Brook Street.

The Cabinet will consider Cllr Knasel's plans next month.