La storia con il testo
ReporterIt's been exactly a year since the market town of Millbrook closed its historic centre to private cars, and opinions are still divided.
ReporterThe council says the figures speak for themselves. Air pollution in the high street has fallen by almost forty percent, and the number of people walking through the centre on a typical Saturday has risen by a quarter. New benches, trees and a weekly food market have replaced what used to be a busy through road.
ReporterBut not everyone is celebrating. Several shop owners told us that while footfall has gone up, sales of larger items have dropped, because customers can no longer park outside. One furniture shop has already moved to a retail park on the edge of town.
ReporterThere have also been complaints from older residents and people with disabilities, who say the free shuttle bus that runs every twenty minutes isn't frequent enough, especially in bad weather.
ReporterThe council admits the scheme isn't perfect. From next month, the shuttle will run every ten minutes during the day, and businesses will be able to apply for delivery permits that allow vans into the centre before ten in the morning.
ReporterA public consultation on the future of the scheme opens next week, and the council says it will publish the results in the autumn. This is Katie Moore for Radio West, in Millbrook.
