COUNCILLORS fear plans to make Warminster more pedestrian-friendly will kill off trade in the town.

They are worried about some of the proposals, which they say could inconvenience shoppers and motorists.

Wiltshire County Council, in partnership with West Wiltshire District Council, Warminster Town Council and Action for Warminster, is considering a programme of traffic and environment improvements within the town centre.

The scheme would give more priority to pedestrians, cyclists, public transport users and to people with disabilities.

But Warminster town councillors are unhappy with parts of the plan, including the proposal to ban kerb-side parking in shopping areas.

Cllr Chris March said: "I'm against it because there will be increased tailbacks, increased congestion and it will persuade people to shop elsewhere.

"Something similar happened in Westbury 10 years ago. It seemed a good idea at the time but it proved disastrous. It is now like a ghost town and if we're not careful this could happen to Warminster.

"The council has to take some responsibility and we have to be careful about what we do. Money must be spent on the right project and this appears to be the wrong one.

"We shouldn't just tear apart the town centre for the sake of it."

Other proposals include replacing the traffic lights at the end of Weymouth Street with a mini roundabout, the introduction of a 20mph speed limit in the town centre, widened pavements, extra pedestrian crossings, and a one-way system at East Street and Station Road.

Phase one of the improvement plan, costing between £75,000 and £100,000, could begin next January.

Because of the concerns, councillors have forwarded their own suggestions to the county council.

These include:

Pavements should only be widened outside David Bell estate agents and Balfour News in Market Place

The number of free parking spaces in the town centre should not be reduced.

There should be no special delivery bays

The traffic lights should remain in place.

Any scheme should have a two-month trial period.

There should be no one-way system in the town.

After receiving details of a government report, Wiltshire County Council agreed to allocate money to each of the towns in west Wiltshire, which will be spent over the next five years.

A spokesman for the county council, said: "We have consulted widely with local people and organisations in Warminster, including the town council, about the proposals to make the town more attractive to shoppers.

"We are considering all responses from the consultations before deciding the appropriate way forward."