RADICAL proposals to create an exclusive zone for pedestrians in Darlington town centre moved forward last night.

The borough council's cabinet approved the appointment of an external consultant to oversee the project. If a bid for funding is approved work could start in 2005.

The scheme will ban buses and taxis from Prospect Place, High Row, Skinnergate, and the south end of Northgate. The central shopping area would be traffic free between 9am and 5.30pm.

A funding application will be made to the Tees Valley Partnership in the summer and public consultation is due to start in spring 2004.