A decision to ban lorries from Great Dunmow town centre could be the catalyst for a one-way system in the town, according to a county councillor.

It has been recommended by Essex County Council (ECC) that roads in Dunmow be re-numbered following the opening of Woodside Way, with the intention of taking a large volume of traffic from the town centre and moving it onto the recently opened bypass.

Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes will be stopped from travelling through the centre, which will “preserve the character, amenity and environment of the area”, according to the proposal.

Essex County Councillor for Dunmow, Susan Barker, hopes this will mark the start of further changes to the town’s roads. She said: “I am really pleased with this proposal. It is the logical thing to do for a medieval town.

“This will be a catalyst for further considerations such as more resident parking and a partial one-way system. A Traffic Management group has been set up in the town and it is in their power to put stuff forward to Essex Highways about what they need in Great Dunmow.”

It is unclear where the one-way system may be introduced, but Cllr Barker suggested the possibility of one which could include Rosemary Lane and North Street.

The current B184, from its junction with the B1256 just north of the junction with the A120 and B1008, known as A120 Dunmow South interchange, to its newly formed junction with Woodside Way is set to be re-numbered as B1008, to include the whole of Chelmsford Road in Dunmow.

If, as expected, the proposal is given the green light, the weight limit ban will be introduced on the new B1008 through Dunmow town centre and associated roads.

Chris Turton, co-chairman of the Great Dunmow Town Team, said: “We are pleased that the bypass is finally going to be signed correctly and delighted that Essex County Council has taken the opportunity to restrict HGV access to the High Street.

“This is a step in the right direction for making the town centre more resident friendly and attractive to local shoppers.”

Mayor of Great Dunmow, Jonathan Cadwallader, believes this is great news for the town but thinks any decisions about future road improvements should wait.

He said: “This is very welcome. Obviously there will still be delivery trucks coming through the centre but there are not many places that require them. It is good news.”

He added: “Before we decide to make any changes we need to have a realistic idea of the traffic that is coming through the town.

“Personally I would be quite sceptical about a one-way system. I think it would encourage quite a lot of people to drive quite fast through the area. Traffic calming measure could be a better way forward.”

A decision on whether to proceed with the re-numbering proposal is expected in the coming months.

• What do you think about the one-way system idea? E-mail us at editor@dunmow-broadcast.co.uk