RADICAL plans to upgrade Malvern town centre, which could include pedestrianising Belle Vue Terrace and making Church Street one-way, are once more on the agenda.

County councillor Paul Tuthill has secured funding of £100,000 to help create a "master plan" for the future of the town centre.

He says that the project is a logical continuation of improvements made in the town centre over recent years, such as the enhancement of Belle Vue island.

And he wants Worcestershire County Council to work closely with the town and district councils over the improvements.

He said: "The aim is to determine a traffic management system for Malvern which will have the support of the majority of residents. This will then form the basis of works to enhance the town."

He said that similar ideas have been the subject of discussion for many years.

He said: "In a way, it's carrying on the work of the late councillor John Ford, who was very concerned with the regeneration of the town centre.

"An issue that was never resolved was the management of traffic in Church Street and the scope to enhance the pedestrian area around Belle Vue Terrace.

"Several reports were produced by various bodies, frequently suggesting making Church Street one way but with differing views on the direction. There have also been ideas to make Belle Vue a pedestrian area.

"A master plan is needed with a firm decision so that road works and then street enhancements can take place."

"For many people, the ideal option would be to divert the Worcester-Ledbury road so that both flows of traffic pass below Belle Vue Terrace, enabling the terrace to the pedestrianised. Church Street would be made one way downhill from the post office area to the traffic lights."

He said to carry this out, the road by the post office would have to be re-engineered, particularly at the steep northern end. Church Street could be enhanced with planters, parking areas, delivery areas and possibly water features.

Another option is splitting the main road so the northbound lane stays on Belle Vue Terrace, with southbound traffic diverted in front of the post office. This would mean the top of Church Street could only be accessed from the Worcester direction.

A third possibility is to leave Belle Vue Terrace as it is, but pedestrianize in front of the post office, again with the top of Church Street accessible only from the Worcester direction.

Cllr Tuthill said: "We would want the county council to work closely with the town and district councils over this, and to involve groups such as those working on the neighbourhood plan.

The grant is part of a £2.32 million package of funding to spruce up town centres across the county.