PEOPLE will next week be able to get an impression of what a pedestrianised Darlington town centre could look like.

Plans and sketches of the £6.5m scheme will go on display in the Queen Street shopping arcade from Wednesday until Saturday, July 10, and the council hopes there will be feedback from the public.

The original area of pedestrianisation has been extended to take in more of the centre.

The proposals include a new space for public events, markets and street activities, avenues of trees, bold swathes of planting, a water feature, plenty of seating and granite surfacing.

Traffic will be re-organised to ensure a safer, more accessible and enjoyable town centre.

Darlington Council and One NorthEast, the regional development agency, have worked together on the scheme which aims to make Darlington a regional centre.

Once the consultation period is over, traffic orders will be made and preparations will begin for initial work to start early in the new year. The main works are expected to start in March-April 2005.

Coun David Lyonette, cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: "The Pedestrian Heart scheme is a really exciting project that will see a total transformation of the town centre.

"We have already carried out extensive consultation work to enable us to come this far. It is now time for local residents to have their say on how they want their town centre to look by becoming involved in the exhibition and consultation event next week."

The proposals can also be viewed on the council web site, www.darlington.gov.uk.

The exhibition includes the design proposals, plans and sketches and work by artist Michael Pinsky who is developing ideas to use light and water.