A PROPOSAL to increase pedestrian-only space by half is the front-runner in plans to revamp historic St George's Square in Huddersfield.

Town hall chiefs are set to back proposals which include funnelling Railway Street to run in front of Britannia Buildings, former home of the Yorkshire Building Society, in the Square.

The road would be designated for use by buses, taxis, disabled people, service and emergency vehicles only.

Other traffic to the railway station, station car park and the George Hotel from John William Street would be via a remodelled service road in front of the hotel.

The choice is being made after a public consultation, held in the summer, on three different ways of paving the Square.

Clr John Smithson, deputy leader of Kirklees Council, said: "Public views were evenly split between those who wanted the square to be free from all but essential traffic and those who wanted to see through-traffic removed but buses kept to help link with rail services.

"It was not an easy choice, but we think this option will allow a real improvement to the way the Square looks and works.

"We want to keep open the possibility of one day making the square as traffic free as possible, but this simply isn't practical until we can negotiate improved physical links between the bus and rail stations."

A lot of detail still had to be decided, said Clr Smithson.

These included the features to be put in the square, the position of bus stops and the possibility of illuminating the Square and its buildings in an imaginative way.

Clr Smithson added: "We need the ideas and opinions of local people to help us in our choices."

The next step will be the production of detailed designs for further public consideration.