Half of a Suffolk town centre street will be closed to drivers this summer as a council has given the go-ahead to a pilot scheme in a bid to increase footfall. 

During a Sudbury Town Council meeting on Tuesday, February 13 the scheme, which would see half of Market Hill closed to drivers with parking removed to create space for outdoor dining at the restaurants, was given the green light.

Sudbury Mercury: Half of Market Hill in Sudbury will close to motorists in the schemeHalf of Market Hill in Sudbury will close to motorists in the scheme (Image: Newsquest)

Similar plans were in place between Covid lockdowns when parking was suspended and restaurants used the space to seat socially-distanced diners.

In the meeting, concerns were raised over the impact of Babergh District Council plans to reduce the free parking in their car parks, as well as the fact that no economic impact assessment had been carried out. 

However, the plans were approved and the trial is set to proceed.

Sudbury Mercury: Sudbury mayor Jan OsborneSudbury mayor Jan Osborne (Image: Sudbury Town Council)

Sudbury mayor Jan Osborne said: "The plan is to close only half of market hill for the summer period.

"It is only a pilot to see if it successful in increasing footfall to the town. If not successful the scheme can be removed.

"It is always worth trying different ways to help the town."