AFTER more than 20 years of being a car-free town centre, Nelson could once again have a road running through the heart of it.

Council leader Azhar Ali has proposed the pedestrianised area between Leeds Road and Manchester Road should be reopened to provide parking and to bring more people in to the town.

Traders, particularly in Scotland Road, have complained about the increasing number of empty shops and it is hoped that bringing motorists closer to the shops will boost trade. Coun Ali said: "We have had some detailed discussions with Modus, who are the new owners of the Pendle Rise shopping centre, and hope that with their planned extension, and the commitment to bring a mix of shops to the centre, we will see a big difference within 12 months.

"It is now time for us to look at opening up Manchester Road for traffic going one-way towards Leeds Road. We could provide chevroned parking for short stay parking along both sides of the new road."

It was agreed that an urgent report should be requested on cost options and the policy implications of the proposal, as well as meetings with traders, the county council and the public to gauge their opinion.

Philip Hanson, of Hanson's Butchers, in Leeds Road, welcomed the idea. He said: "We wouldn't want it opening fully but a one-way system towards Leeds Road, with some kind of traffic calming, would be a good idea. People want to go shopping in their cars these days. If they could just pull up for a short time, even if they had to pay, I'm sure they would."

Jack Mulloy, a Nelson resident and former employee at the butchers, said: "I think the pedestrianisation has been detrimental to business in this area."

Paul Butler, owner of Oscars video shop, in Scotland Road, said the proposal seemed like a good idea but believed there should be consultation before any decision was made. He said: "The road that was there did cut the town in half, but now we have got a town centre without shops."