Falmouth’s main shopping streets could become a virtually car free zone for three months next summer if a planned trial pedestrianisation is given the go ahead.

Town manager Richard Gates told town councillors on Monday night that while the planned trial is in its early stages and there are several hurdles to overcome, it is hoped it can be rolled out next summer. It follows the success of road closures held during Falmouth Week and the Tall Ships Regatta in August.

He said: “We all know the history and the reasons why lots of people are very positive about it and lots of people have concerns. We are going to look into it in more detail and develop it from there. We are looking at something like 11am to 4pm. It might be that we cannot do the whole week, only the weekends.”

The news was met with general support from the council. Candy Atherton said: “As a Cornwall councillor and a town councillor I strongly support any trial for pedestrianisation. A couple of years ago we did a survey which got about 600 replies and the first issue people raised was the dredge and the importance of getting the dredge, but the second issue was why we do not have pedestrianisation through part of the town. Certainly for me in a wheelchair it would be enormously helpful.”

Councillor Rowenna Brock added: “I would fully support it if the businesses were all for it. My only concern is that pedestrianising the main street could lead to further problems with Church Street car park.

“It is in the main area of Falmouth and it’s a completely untapped resource. It looked pretty good during Tall Ships, but it’s an ugly part of town.”

Mr Gates stressed that full pedestrianisation would not be possible because access would still be needed to service the shops and businesses, the shuttle bus would still operate through town and because some residents with parking spaces would require access to them.