TRAFFIC could be banned from the shopping vein of Blackmore Vale's "capital" if county road chiefs put plans into gear next week.

They are being recommended to make a prohibition of driving order for Station Road in Sturminster Newton, allowing only delivery vehicles to traders and disabled badge holders, turning the thoroughfare over to pedestrians. Traders in the town centre say they welcome the move.

The traffic ban comes as part of a £327,000 town centre enhancement scheme which has already seen traffic flow in Station Road reduced to one lane and works carried out in the adjoining Market Place including widened footpaths. Vehicles have also been unable to turn from Bath Road into Station Road for the past year.

"Restricting access to vehicles in this way has reduced the number of vehicles using Station Road and provides an enhanced town centre where pedestrians can feel safe from intimidation and queuing traffic," said Miles Butler, county environment director.

"The footways on Station Road between Bath Road and Barnes Close have now been widened at the expense of carriageway width, and the benefits experienced by pedestrians are clearly evident.

"The prohibition-of-driving order would complement the pedestrian preference works and provide additional benefit for pedestrians."

A new link road between Bath and Station roads has meant that the latter is no longer the main route for traffic through the town.

"This has created the opportunity to encourage increased pedestrian flows between the historic centre of Sturminster Newton and the market site development," Mr Miles added.

Ian Ring, chairman of the town's association of trade and commerce, said: "It won't make any difference as long as the shops can still get their deliveries.

"The enhancement scheme is working well and there's a real buzz around the town."