DETAILS have emerged of how a one-way system along Dorchester's High West Street could look.

The proposal for the one-way street is just one of the options being considered by transport chiefs to improve traffic flows and the environment in the county town.

Other options currently up for consideration include closing High West Street to all but emergency traffic and public transport, and pedestrianising the street from its junction with Trinity Street to Church Street.

Under the proposed one-way street scheme the Top o' Town roundabout would all but disappear to make way for the changes which would take traffic down the street from west to east.

The scheme also includes wider pavements, parking for disabled drivers and more pedestrianisation in South Street and Albert Road.

The one-way street scheme is the preferred option of West Dorset District Council.

District councillor for Dorchester, Alan Beard, today urged Dorset County Council to adopt the one-way street as the preferred option.

"This is the option preferred by the district council and hopefully it will be supported by county too.

"It still includes many of the benefits of the pedestrianisation scheme, including the extension of pedestrianisation to the lower end of South Street, New Street and Albert Road.

"Traffic will still be encouraged to go around the bypass, but it will give better access to those travelling from the north and west. It also takes on board the needs of the rural communities around Dorchester," said Coun Beard.

He said he was disappointed that the county council had not allocated the scheme as a priority in its budget for the next financial year.

"We need to bring pressure to bear on the county council to ensure that the Dorchester transport and environmental plan is allocated funding as a priority as soon as possible.

"The cost of this scheme would be insignificant compared to other ones like the Weymouth Relief Road.

"There should be no justifiable reason for withholding funds for the implementation of this plan which will improve traffic flows in Dorchester and its environment."

Tim Westwood, transportation manager at Dorset County Council, said: "A one-way street along High West Street is an option and we will be examining that over the next few weeks. "