A Romsey councillor has launched a campaign to ban cars from the town centre during the day - just as workers put the finishing touches to a £1m road improvement scheme.

Councillor Mark Cooper wants The Hundred to be pedestrianised between the Cornmarket and Latimer Street from 10am to 4pm every day.

But the proposal, which comes as Hampshire County Council enters the last few weeks of extensive work on traffic calming and pavements, has triggered unease among motoring groups.

Traders are also furious that more upheavals could be on the cards.

Test Valley's Liberal Democrat deputy leader will put forward his proposal at a full council meeting on Thursday.

He wants to launch a public consultation on banning cars, subject to agreement with the county council.

Cllr Cooper told the Daily Echo: "During roadworks, the street was closed between 10am and 4pm. Whenever I've been in town, people have been coming up to me saying they actually liked it.

"What I hope to do is capitalise on people's accidental experience of a pedestrianised centre by launching the consultation as soon as possible."

He denied that his idea would make the county council's radical redesign redundant, saying: "There would still be a need to access some of the shops by car and the streets would be open during rush hour.

"The scheme actually makes better use of what has been done to the road."

But AA spokesman Rebecca Rees urged caution.

"Pedestrianisation can work but there has to be the network in place to take cars around the town centre," she said. "It worked in Newbury, but that was after they put the bypass in, and it was part of a whole package of improvements.

"It could lead to disappointment following this new road improvement scheme."

Trader Robin Barclay, who saw footfall at Wordserf Computing, in Love Lane, plummet by more than half during the road closures, added: "Personally, I think it would belovely for Romsey but as a trader, I don't think we could take the upheaval.

"We are really struggling at the moment, as are other shops. I dread to think what will happen to Romsey if anything else changes here."

The motion is likely to be referred to Test Valley Council's executive for discussion and decision.