PLANS to revamp historic St George's Square in Huddersfield are too modest, it was claimed.

Leading business people in Huddersfield said three options for the square proposed by Kirklees Council - to extend pedestrian areas, re-route traffic or restrict vehicle access to taxis and buses - did not go far enough.

The business leaders have called for a larger scheme to include car parking on the former railway station goods yard and a subway or bridge to link the square with St George's Warehouse behind the station.

But members of the Kirklees committee of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce were told that the subway plan was a non-starter following objections from transport group First, which runs the TransPennine Express rail service.

Kirklees Council official Roland Sansom said revamping the layout of the square was part of wider plans to revive the St George's Square quarter of town - an area bounded by the ring road, John William Street and Westgate.

Those plans included efforts to bring vacant upper storey offices back into use and make the square a focal point for outdoor events such as theatrical performances.

He said: "The nature of businesses around the square is changing - with more cafes and bars and a stronger emphasis on leisure.

"The question is how we are going to remodel the square to make it a better place and a better space."

Mr Sansom said figures showed that 2.4m used the railway station in 2003 - making it the second-busiest in West Yorkshire after Leeds.

"These proposals are part of making Huddersfield town centre look like a more successful place and encourage people to work, live and invest in the town."

Chamber member Howard Webster said planners should press ahead with efforts to link the square with the railway warehouse via the station.

Fellow member Ian Watson said: "These proposals are too modest for what is required in the long term - to link the station to the railway warehouse and provide more parking."

Mr Sansom said that following consultations it was hoped to begin work on revamping the square in January, 2007 - with the scheme completed before the end of the year.