I DISAGREE with the view in Jeremy Leyton’s letter (Help drivers, Postbag, February 9) about the impact of making three of Taunton Town centre’s streets car-free.

I can’t wait for the traffic to be taken out of St James Street.

Watching out for a stream of passing cars in such a narrow street is not a pleasant shopping or pedestrian experience.

One of Taunton’s best views is down Hammett St looking at the tower of St Mary Magdalene leading to Church Square.

These two streets are logical to add to the areas where you can shop, walk and stop and chat without worrying about cars.

RELATED: Car ban plan for three Taunton town-centre streets

East Street would become a car-free area similar to those introduced by other towns on the up like Leicester, Nottingham and Exeter where traffic has been taken out and the shopping, walking and cycling environments have improved.

These improvements are being publicised to promote shopping and tourism.

It would be good to have more places in town to sit in peace and enjoy its streetscape and buildings.

More seating and greenery and quality hardscaping would be ideal. 
Some art and sculpture that tells the important history of the town for tourists and visitors would be great.

How about a statue of the donkey who helped build St Mary Magdalene on Hammet Street or one of Colonel Robert Blake the Parliamentarian who defended the castle from a year long Royalist siege in the Civil War?

RELATED: LETTER: Car-ban plan will hurt Taunton town centre

I recently went on one of the excellent walks organised by the Somerset Museum and did the Taunton walking trail with a friend from up North.

We thought that Taunton could make more of its historic heart walkable in comfort. We were surprised how many fine old buildings and small streets and alleyways the town centre has.

I don’t think the current proposals are a Taunton Deane Borough Council or Somerset County Council conspiracy, but a move to make the town’s centre environment better.

As it is going to be subject to a trial, we will see if the removal of traffic does hurt the town centre or if businesses and shoppers find it is an improvement and adapt.

The main aim should be to make a long term quality change to those three streets which makes them more pleasant places to be.

PIP SHEARD
Cheddon Road
Taunton