A CENTRAL Weston street could be turned into a one-way system if a businessman’s plans are given the green light.

Nigel Cullum says making Palmer Street a one-way only road would help traffic to become less congested, as well as offering more parking spaces.

Mr Cullum, who owns Weston Furniture Warehouse, has discussed the idea with North Somerset Council bosses, and officers from the authority are currently looking into making it a reality.

Both neighbouring North Street and Hopkins Street are already one-way systems, and Mr Cullum says the change would help traffic flows.

As the road would become a one-way system going south towards Meadow Street, the passing area on one side of the road would become unnecessary and could be replaced by up to five new parking bays.

He said: “It is currently a single yellow line and is rarely used as a passing area because of vehicles illegally parking in it. By making the street one-way there would be no need for a passing area.”

He says the scheme is in line with North Somerset’s drive to create more parking bays while clamping down on illegal parking.

Mr Cullum continued: “People park on the passing area and make it really hard for traffic to flow, as well as meaning lorries delivering to my business are sometimes unable to park.

“I don’t think there’s a town in Britain where there is such a low level of parking enforcement.

“I have spoken to police officers and PCSOs, and they think it is a good idea.

“Major improvements are needed, because the parking issue is driving people out of Weston, and deterring new people from coming in.”

Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, North Somerset’s deputy leader and executive member for transport said: “I have asked officers to look into the idea as it does on the face of it seem to have some merit to it.

“It has merit particularly in terms of delivery movements on North Street because there are quite a lot of heavy goods vehicles that go into that street and would affect traffic in that area.”