TRADERS and residents have won their battle to keep Worle High Street open. North Somerset Council had planned to close the road for one day in September as part of a European 'In Town Without My Car Day' and look at closing it to traffic permanently to i

TRADERS and residents have won their battle to keep Worle High Street open.North Somerset Council had planned to close the road for one day in September as part of a European 'In Town Without My Car Day' and look at closing it to traffic permanently to improve pedestrian safety.But angry traders and residents fiercely opposed the idea, saying 'the High Street will die' and formed a petition signed by over 120 people.After a closed meeting organised by the authority's executive member for strategic planning and transport, Councillor John Crockford-Hawley, all plans to close the road have been 'suspended'.A joint statement by the council, traders and representatives of Worle Community Association said: "We are all keen to improve the High Street environment for the benefit, safety and comfort of traders, shoppers, residents and schoolchildren. "Private and public transport issues will need to be addressed, though nothing should be done that would detrimentally affect the close-knit trading community of this important local shopping street."It was also agreed to set-up a working party with traders, representatives from the council, the community association, the police and schools to investigate traffic problems and potential solutions.Community association chairman Joan Thompson said: "We've agreed the experimental closure won't happen. Now we are working towards a permanent agreement that the road will stay open to traffic.