PLANS to ban cars from Dereham's Market Place were reignited this week as calls were made for a trial pedestrianisation. Supporters of the idea said it would revitalise the town and bring in a café culture, but there were concerns the loss of short-term car parking could affect businesses around the Market Place.

PLANS to ban cars from Dereham's Market Place were reignited this week as calls were made for a trial pedestrianisation.

Supporters of the idea said it would revitalise the town and bring in a café culture, but there were concerns the loss of short-term car parking could affect businesses around the Market Place.

The suggestion was made at Dereham Town Council's annual meeting on Tuesday night by town resident Trevor Wood.

It comes as Norfolk County Council's plans for a bus interchange in the Market Place are being discussed with bus firms and ongoing amid hopes to relocate the Friday market back to the Market Place.

Supporters said pedestrianisation would enable the town's market to grow and mayor John Gretton said

he would throw open the council's doors to anyone with thought through plans for pedestrianisation - suggested for the town back in 1994.

But Philip Duigan aired caution and said he was concerned the loss of short-term parking would affect businesses.

Michael Fanthorpe supported the idea, put forward by town resident Trevor Wood, and there was a call to trial a car ban on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Philip Morten, of Dereham Society, said: “People are looking for a vision for the town; we need an attractive shopping and café area - and that can only come about through pedestrianisation.”

>Mr Gretton told the annual town meeting that 2007/8 had been a mixture of success and frustration.

There had been five new faces on the council, a new clerk, Tony Needham, and the refurbishment of the Memorial Hall was being looked at.

Dereham was hoping to become a Fairtrade town, cotton bags had been produced in a bid to ditch plastic bags in the town and 60 trees planted on Abbots Field.

Mr Duigan said Bishop Bonner's cottage had got museum accreditation, work was to be carried out with Breckland Council on a new dog fouling policy, and management of Etling Green and Neathered Moor as a wildlife area was ongoing.

Lynda Turner said work getting lighting and CCTV on the recreation ground was under way, as was the process of taking on all the play

areas in the town from Breckland Council.

A green infrastructure survey of the town was to be carried out.

>A presentation was made to three community car scheme drivers at the meeting. For the full story and pictures see next week's Dereham Times.