The More Bus sponsored Bournemouth Air Festival at the end of August requires the town centre to be completely traffic free.  Now a local businessman, Nigel Hedges says that the town centre should stay pedestrianised.  Nigel Hedges is the president of the town's Chamber of Trade.

Although some businesses have their doubts about banning cars Mr Hedges said, " that he would defy anybody to prove these cars bring anything into town now.  In my view they are just driving through but that is not necessarily the Chamber's view.

Although the "Square" is virtually pedestrianised except for buses and taxis there is now just one through road from Townhall to the Triangle.  (See picture)   The air festival will require several more roads to be closed over the four days fo the festival.

Roger Parker manager of the town centre said he wasn't a traffic expert but his instinct tells him banning all vehicular access might not be in the interests of the town commercial side.

Council leader, Stephen MacLoughlin commented that over the years the areas of Commercial Road, the lower end of Old Christchurch Road and the Square pedestrianised and he was in favour of more but emphasised that the balance is right.

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