A retired architect believes Witham town centre’s future lies in plans drawn up 40 years ago.

Roy Belsham supports plans drawn up in 1973 to pedestrianise the section of Newland Street between the Newlands and Grove shopping centres.

The idea has resurfaced numerous times over the decades but been dropped due to concerns about how to divert traffic.

Mr Belsham, the first chairman of Witham Town Strategy Group, said: “I wanted to extend the market where it exists at the moment in Lockram Lane to take it through Newlands precinct on one side of Newlands Drive.

“It will help the stallholders and help the precincts."