Restrictions stopping traffic driving through the town centre at certain times of the day are set to begin on July 8.

Falmouth Chamber of Commerce raised no serious objections to the "restricted zone" scheme but they felt they were left with no real alternative.

In the specially arranged meeting, Cornwall county council officials warned the chamber the alternative was to see the town centre closed to vehicles completely on certain days.

Under the agreed scheme all vehicles will be banned from travelling through Church Street and Market Street between 11am and 4pm, except for access to the Church Street car park.

Colin Jarvis, head of transportation and waste management at Cornwall county council, said last year's pollution test showed the town centre to be well above the acceptable limits and something had to be done.

He explained if nothing was done Carrick district council would have no choice but to close the road on the days they felt acceptable pollution levels would be breached.

However members of the chamber did express concern that business would be lost under the scheme and buses were still being allowed down the streets, they felt they were major polluters.

During discussions Mr Jarvis quoted collected statistics on how only 30 per cent of cars driving along the town centre used the Church Street car park and 40 per cent did not stop at all.

Divisional surveyor John Sanders said as the scheme will be run under an "experimental order" certain things can be changed: "But, I would ask we do let it run right through the summer."

It was also confirmed weekly workshops would be held to discuss the scheme while it is up and running.