Plans to make The Borough in Yeovil a "no go" area for private cars has won the support of both Yeovil Town Council and South Somerset District Council.

Financing is still an issue, however, with the town council indicating it is willing to provide "a reasonable share" while the district council is to discuss the size of its contribution two months from now.

The project is headed by the county council, which works with the Yeovil Town Transport Strategy Steering Group.

A rough estimate takes the cost of the project to £230,000, with £117,500 being available from the county council's Local Transport Plan funds.

Under the proposals, access to High Street, The Borough, Silver Street, Wine Street, Union Street, and upper Middle Street will be limited to buses, taxis, orange badge holders, cyclists and HGVs (during certain hours).

At upper Hendford, only buses and HGVs will be allowed - the latter again only during certain hours.

Residents of the affected areas can apply to be exempt from restrictions.

Plans also include re-paving of the whole area and the relocation of disabled parking bays and taxi bays.

If given the green light, work will be carried from January until Easter next year.

Town councillors met on Tuesday of last week and seemed to agree in general but raised a few objections on certain parts of the proposal.

Councillor Maggie Foot felt that a pedestrian crossing was needed at the Silver Street side of the M&S store as vehicles travelling from High Street posed a danger to pedestrians.

Andy Davison, of WS Atkins, the county council's agent, doubted there was a need for such a crossing as the traffic volume would be greatly reduced and the width of the road reduced when restrictions were in place - but added a crossing could be put in place should a need for it occur.

Councillor Foot did not appear convinced and reiterated her demand for a crossing.

Another issue raised was that of buses using The Borough as a timing point. A report penned by Mr Davison said that a strategy developed in 1998 recognises The Borough as "a key location for starting and ending bus journeys".

The town council takes the stance that all timetable timing should be done at the bus station.

Members eventually voted 18-2 to support the concept plan of the project. It was also resolved that the council should "seek to fund a reasonable share" of the £112,500 shortfall.

Mr Davison gave the same presentation of the project the following day when district councillors met.

Councillor Tony Fife, who sits on both councils, highlighted the bus timing issue again and it was decided to check if the council had legal powers to order the bus company to time services from the bus station only.

Councillor Dave Gladding, also a member of both councils, suggested that Yeovil Without and Brympton parish councils should be asked for contributions, too.

"As a parishioner of Yeovil Without, I would welcome making a contribution," he said.

It was decided to carry his proposal, and a decision was also made to support the project in general and deal with the financial bit in two months' time.