HUNDREDS of people have backed a proposal for a city centre road to be pedestrianised.
Post readers were asked to have their say on whether or not the area outside the Victoria centre should be cleared of traffic.
In total 1145 people have got in touch so far with 895 backing the idea put forward by Intu – the company that owns the centre.
Traders and shoppers believe the possible changes could benefit the whole city.
Volunteer at Pendulum music shop, Mary Auckland of Sneinton, said: "We have been here 39 years and a change to the road like this could be huge for the centre and the city.
"It would ease pedestrian flow and create a better shopping environment.
"It would also be safer because at the moment people try to cross the road before the lights change.
"A lot of our customers are elderly so we wouldn't want the buses to be too far away."
Currently, only taxis and buses can drive through Milton Street, between the Victoria Centre and Burger King and Parliament Street, between Glasshouse Street and Queen Street, but under the plans these areas would become traffic free.
Sales assistant Angela Grewal, 60, of The Meadows, said: "It is a brilliant idea because it would open the centre up.
"The street is supposed to be one of the busiest in Europe so making it easier would be good.
"It would improve the whole city centre and make it safer."
Mother of two Preeti Sharma also believes it would make the area safer.
The 33-year-old of Gamston, said: "It is always a worry crossing that road with children.
"The idea is good and I think a lot of people will support it even if it does mean a big change.
"The traffic is constant and I would like to see it replaced with a square and seating."
Although the majority of people are backing the idea 21 per cent of those that took part in the online poll were against any changes.
Hilary Silvester, chairman of Nottingham Civic Society, said: "It would be nice to have a plaza or a square but I think it has huge potential implications for businesses and transport.
"As it stands there are lots of buses outside the centre and it is not easy to cross but it is a main route and very easy for people to catch a bus.
"If they did pedestrianise the area where would the buses go and I don't think people would appreciate having to walk a long way from the centre to catch transport.
"At the moment it is just easy to do shopping and hop on a bus straight away and I think that is a real benefit.
"I think changing things would be as much to the disadvantage as it would be the advantage.
"It would also be a huge upheaval to change everything for that one area."
Before firm plans for any changes are made the redevelopment of the Broadmarsh Centre must first take place.
Jeff Allen, chairman of the Nottingham Business Improvement District said: "It is not sensible to look at just one piece of pedestrianisation without considering the whole city layout and access for people, cars and public transport.
"Whilst this scheme would no doubt have a positive impact on the businesses in the Victoria Centre and its immediate environs, it may be detrimental to the city as a whole.
"A more ambitious scheme that would benefit all the businesses in the city would include Intu's planned redevelopment of the Broadmarsh.
"A grand vision of a partially covered pedestrianised link from Victoria Centre to the top of the new Broadmarsh would really be worth shouting about."
Nigel Wheatley, general manager at intu Victoria Centre, said: "We have been really pleased with how many people have shared their views and opinions on the idea of pedestrianising Parliament Street.
"The majority of people have been positive about the idea and the responses that have been gathered are really helpful in terms of any future conversations we may have on this idea."
