THE town council has unveiled bold new plans to transform the centre of Middlewich.

Councillors want drastic changes to Hightown and The Bull Ring to make the area safer and more accessible.

The plans include reducing St Michael's Way into a single carriageway and introducing a one-way system into the shopping centre.

Lower Street will be narrowed and made one-way and the bus lane will become a one-way car park with a new bus and coach park outside The Vaults pub.

The changes would make 21 new parking spaces and aim to reduce the number of small accidents caused by congestion.

It could also result in moving the memorial for the first time since the late 1960's and will create a new space for planting greenery.

The proposals will be presented to Congleton Borough Council's highways department in a campaign to get the plans seriously considered.

Independent Clr Simon McGrory, who is spearheading the campaign, believes the plan works on several different levels.

He said: "The plans were drawn up by a friend of mine who does not live in Middlewich and so his approach was without prejudice.

"It ties in with the Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme and the North West in Bloom competition.

"But more importantly it would reduce the potential for accidents and make the centre more accessible.

"People not from the area don't realise there is parking available and can easily miss the town.

"Clearly there is a long way to go and a lot of issues to be addressed, but as an overall plan this has mileage and would help give the town more identity."