PROPOSALS to pedestrianise a town centre road proved popular with the public.

An information bus, featuring plans to pedestrianise Byram Street, attracted widespread public interest on Saturday and yesterday.

The proposals are part of a 10-year strategy to provide a more attractive environment and safer streets in Huddersfield.

Under the new proposals, traffic would be banned on Byram Street between Kirkgate and Church Street and trees planted near the parish church.

The scheme would include seating, new litter bins and lighting columns and wider pavements in quality stone.

The setting would provide an opportunity for pavement cafes or market stalls.

Planners say the aim is to make it easier for pedestrians to move around without having to dodge traffic and to create an attractive approach to the Parish Church and St Peter's Gardens.

Mrs Nancy Hack, of Dalton, said: "I like it. I like to walk and be able to stand and chat to people or browse around the shops.

"It would make it easier for people to walk around."

Mrs Margaret Walburn, of Crosland Moor, said: "It will be all right so long as it has proper wheelchair access.

"My mother has been in a wheelchair for 12 years and it's terrible in the town centre.

"Byram Street will be all right if it's traffic free."

Mrs Barbara Lockwood, of Castle Hill, liked the look of the proposal.

"I think it's a good idea," she said.

"There is a need for more trees in the town centre.

"I walk through St Peter's Garden's from Byram Street to Lord Street.

"It will make it more unified if you can just walk straight through.

"I park in Tesco and do my shopping there, then pop into the town centre."

Mr Roger Holmes, principal planning officer, said: "It will open the area up and make it more attractive.

"The church is part of the town centre but it is quite busy and there is lots of traffic.

"The cathedral at Wakefield has been successfully brought into the pedestrian precinct.

"This will make it easier for pedestrians to get access and make it more environmentally friendly.

"There is a feeling, to some extent, that this part of the town centre is cut off from the busier part of the town.

"We are trying to bring the two sides of the centre together and help more people attend the market and shops."

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