THE pedestrianisation of three town centre streets in Taunton could be delayed yet again amid calls to scrap the project altogether.

A complete ban on vehicles was due to be introduced from January in St James Street and during the daytime in Hammet Street.

Officials at Taunton Deane Borough Council admitted this week the latter scheme is unlikely to go live at the start of 2019.

And they now plan to talk to Somerset County Council about potentially shifting the start date for making St James Street permanently pedestrian-only between North Street and Lower Middle Street.

A timetable for excluding all traffic from East Street except buses and bikes between Bradleys estate agents and the town centre roundabout has not been set.

The Deane originally intended to trial all three scheme for 18 months in autumn 2017, but the project was put on hold until it recently emerged St James Street and Hammet Street would be implemented early next year.

Joe Wharton, the authority's project officer, told a meeting of traders on Tuesday that although the St James Street traffic ban was on course for January, Hammet Street "would almost certainly not happen in January" due to issues with its conservation status and surrounding streets.

Mr Wharton said the design for East Street has not been finalised and a public consultation will be held later on.

Responding to several traders' criticism they had not been consulted about the pedestrianisation plans, he apologised, adding: "We're committed to better communication - it's something we need to do better."

Mr Wharton said pedestrianisation was linked to several projects, including developments at Firepool and The Brewhouse, the planned J25 employment park and attempts to reduce traffic dominance.

He said the council was committed to monitoring traffic queues and flows, air quality and the impact on businesses once the scheme came into force.

But critics said the scheme could result in more people shopping in Exeter or Bristol instead of Taunton, cause more pollution and congestion in the county town and threaten the viability of businesses, which are "already teetering".

It was also claimed pedestrianising High Street several years ago had destroyed part of a previously thriving area of the town.

Calls to pause or axe the pedestrianisation plans pending further public consultation were put to TDBC leader Cllr John Williams.

He said: "We have to consult with the county council on this.

"We'll give you the answers once we've had the full consultation with our professional advisers as to how we go forward."