THE main shopping streets in Darlington could be turned into a centre for entertainment and pavement cafes, under proposals to create pedestrian-only areas.

Town centre manager Louise Payne has welcomed the plans by Darlington Borough Council to turn four main streets in the centre into no-go areas for cars and buses.

If the proposals are approved the transformation of the busy shopping area could be completed within two years.

Ms Payne said: "The ethos behind it is to give priority back to the pedestrians and provide easy access to the town centre.

"It will definitely strengthen the town centre and will allow it to compete with places like Stockton and Durham which have had a lot of money put into them.

"When this is completed we can look at bringing pavement cafes into the town and more entertainment.

"But we must consider the needs of the taxi and bus companies as well as shop deliveries, while ensuring Darlington is a safe and comfortable place to shop."

Under the plans, buses will go along Crown Street, Tubwell Row and Coniscliffe Road to get around the town.

The report, which will be presented to the council next week, recognised the changes to bus services could cause some problems for shoppers but suggested the disruption will be minimal.

There will be no bus stops on Prebend Row so shoppers will have to walk further to get to the main shops.

Benches and other street furniture in Northgate and Crown Street will also be removed to make it easier for pedestrians to walk to the new bus stops.

Leader of Darlington Borough Council John Williams said: "Darlington is a vibrant town centre, but we must do all that we can to make sure that it remains attractive to shops and businesses and that it has safe access for all."

Although the scheme involves the changing of disabled parking spaces in the town, Darlington Association on Disability (DAD) has welcomed the ban on traffic from the busy Northgate and High Row areas.

Gordon Pybus, of DAD said: "It will be beneficial to a lot of disabled people when they do not have to mix with traffic all the time.

"The only concern for me is where the buses are going to go. They need to be near the main shops."