MOST people in Wantage want part-pedestrianisation, a 20mph speed limit and wider pavements in a revamped Market Place.

Two concept ideas about how Wantage Market Place could be redeveloped were drawn up as part of a scheme to breathe new life into the town.

The facelift, costing up to £1m, is due to start within the next three years and be finished by the end of 2012.

Concepts A and B, which had been drawn up by Wantage-based BHP Architects, were displayed in Wantage and Grove during a two-day public consultation last month.

Of the layouts, which both shared common features, Concept A, received 72 per cent support. Just 17 per cent preferred Concept B and 11 per cent did not like either.

Patrick O’Leary, town mayor, said: “We have consulted with the public from day one. It’s great that we have now arrived at a plan and we can take this forward.”

The favoured option included lowering traffic speeds from 30mph to 20mph, seven pedestrian crossings, six parking areas and a two-way vehicle flow which would loop to the south side of the Market Place.

Vehicles would be able to travel in to the centre from Mill Street past Peter Casey Jewellers and exit into Newbury Street or Wallingford Street.

Access through the town would not be past the former Woolworths store or Dorothy Perkins, as it currently is.

This would provide more pedestrian space, which would increase the demand for cafés with outside dining.

Other key improvements outlined were pedestrian routes between King’s Walk, part of the Limborough Road retail development, Grove Street and the Market Place.

A bus stop would be sited on the south side of the centre.

The waiting zone for buses could be moved to Seesen Way, off Wallingford Street, during the day and in the Market Place after 8pm.

Town councillor Jim Sibbald, chairman of the planning committee, said: “Sometimes when you go in to Wantage Market Place all you can see is buses waiting.

“You don’t get to see its beauty and architecture.

“We are in favour of public transport but there is no need for them to loiter.

“This would make the Market Place more pleasant to look at instead of being a bus terminus.”

The taxi rank would remain at the west end of the town, outside the King Alfred’s Head pub, and there would be two loading bays — one at the west end and another outside the Nationwide Building Society.

Funding for the full scheme would be from the town council — which has to date put aside £131,500 — and other bodies.

Vale of White Horse District Council is in discussions with the town council about its involvement in funding the project.