INDEPENDENT traders in Ilminster have threatened to pull out of the town if the council brings forward a ‘foolhardy’ idea to pedestrianise the centre.

The concept has been mooted a number of times over the years and was once again suggested as a potential course of action at a recent town council meeting.

While the council was considering its recommendation over the application for 330 homes at Shudrick Lane, Cllr David Miller said the proposed benefits would allow Ilminster to be a shining example of green living.

He told the committee: “For me, I have always wanted to see a ring road around Ilminster. This gives us the opportunity to do that and part-pedestrianise the town, first with Silver Street, then East Street.

“We have been advised to move towards the green view of life and it would be nice if Ilminster could set an example in going green.”

But some traders claim it would destroy the market town.

Drew Belobaba, from The Ilminster Bookshop, told the News: “According to the documents I have seen, the motivation for this proposal is to encourage methods of transportation other than cars. I take this to mean that the main component of this proposal would be to do away with on-street parking on the affected streets.

“Unfortunately, the town council’s proposal would cripple many if not most of the retail businesses in the town centre. In my experience, adequate parking, particularly on-street parking, is key to creating a vibrant town centre such as currently exists here in Ilminster.

“On-street parking is particularly important for Ilminster businesses as we attract visitors from Chard, Crewkerne, South Petherton and the many nearby villages.

“Most of these people have to rely on cars in order to visit Ilminster. Furthermore, many of our shoppers are older and may have health conditions which preclude them walking great distances.

“If the town council was to proceed with this foolhardy idea, I would have no choice but to close my business or relocate it. No doubt, so would many other Ilminster merchants.

“We’re very lucky here in Ilminster to retain so many unique shops of the type that many other towns have lost but the current town council seems intent on destroying this.”

Philip Wyatt, from the Ilminster Home Hardware store, said: “Everyone is very unhappy about it. The one-way street which was put in on Ditton Street didn’t help and this would further damage the town.

“If anyone has spoken to any of the traders then they haven’t listened because anyone I have spoken to is not in favour of it. I definitely don’t want it.”

But Clinton Bonner, chairman of Ilminster’s Chamber of Trade, said he believes there is no need to panic about such a ‘pipe dream’.

He said: “I think they call it ‘blue sky thinking’ and probably more of an off-the-cuff remark.

“I would be against it. Ilminster is a drop in, drop out town where you don’t want to park up elsewhere and get a bus in and spend hours.

“If they were talking about having something like that around the Market Square then maybe, but not what has been suggested.

“I think it is very early days with this suggestion and absolutely not a reason for people to panic about – it’s merely a pipedream.”

Traders turned out in force to send a message to the council that they oppose the idea, no matter how far down the line it is.

n Among the traders objecting are: Bonners Butchers, Lanes Garden Shop, Elizabeth Sandford, Silver Street Dairy, Minster Pharmacy, Cottage Flowers, Druce's Barber, Ian and Carol Claire, Post Office, The Green Room, Mark Hebron’s hairdressers, Broomhead and Saul Solicitors, Richard Stent opticians, Ilminster Home and Hardware, Harrimans, Claire Wakely Interiors, Ilminster book shop and The Dog and Country Club.