A MIXTURE views on Darlington Borough Council's pedestrianisation plans were evident at the Cornmill Centre yesterday.

Most shoppers at the exhibition told The Northern Echo they liked the idea of revamping High Row, but were worried about the town centre losing its unique character.

Below is a selection of their views:

Maureen Kidd, 71, from Newton Aycliffe, described the plans as "very good".

"We shop here every week and I think this will really improve things," she said.

"I like it a lot. At the moment, you've got all the buses going along High Row and it makes it very difficult to cross.

"This should make things much easier."

Ian Downing, 67, of Long Newton, near Stockton, said he liked the scheme in principle but was concerned about the removal of the "historic" steps. "I think they should try to keep them in - it seems such a shame to take them out."

Nancy Robson, 78, of Longfield Road, Darlington, said: "I think they'd be better off spending the money on a bus station.

"The congestion with the buses on High Row is awful but if they stop them going down there, how far will we have to walk to get our bus?"

Vera Chapman, who lives in Darlington's West End, said she was against the scheme.

"I don't think the scheme is based on how we use the town centre, it's all about how it looks.

"To try and harmonise the whole area and make it into a sort of park is not what the town centre is. It's an area for business and shopping."

Julian Page, 46, from Mowden, Darlington, said: "It looks quite nice from the brief look I've had at the plans. It is disappointing that the Victorian features are being swept away but High Row is tatty and needs improving.

"I'm also glad they'll be allowing cyclists in."

Pamela Bartram, 65, of Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, said she was worried the plan would mean Darlington losing its character.

"I think it's a shame to do that and make it like any town," she said. "I'm not totally against the plan but I'd probably prefer to leave the railings and incorporate them in some way."

Derek Bainbridge, 71, chairman of Darlington Civic Trust, said the single row of steps without railings could prove difficult for the elderly to tackle.

"I think the mistake is to do away with the three levels," he said. "I'm also perturbed that there not been a stronger attempt to maintain the existing grey granite features."

Soren Moore, 39, of Faverdale, Darlington, said: "I quite like it. I just think the town centre needs to be modernised.

"You look at places like Leeds and Manchester; they are old cities and towns but they have managed to modernise.

"I think Darlington is losing quite a lot of people because there's nothing here to attract them. Having something modern like this would be great."