TOWN centre shoppers have welcomed a total ban on cars during opening hours – but warned it will not solve problems in the town.

High Street, between Smithfield Road and Carter Street, is currently open only to delivery workers and motorists displaying a blue disabled badge between 10am and 4pm.

However, a Post & Times survey on Wednesday afternoon counted 10 cars driving along the road in just 10 minutes.

Staffordshire County Council now plans to stop all vehicles using the route in peak shopping hours.

Officials are currently sifting through feedback from businesses before it implements or reviews the project.

But customers in the town's retail heart have already given the scheme the thumbs up.

Chiropodist Rachel Taylor, of Holly Road, Uttoxeter, admitted the current system of traffic management needed shoppers to be "on their guard".

The 54-year-old said: "If you're local, you know you always need to be looking over your shoulder to see if a car is coming, but I feel sorry for any visitors coming into town.

"If the council could properly manage the system the High Street would be improved dramatically."

Mother-of-four Helen Hill, aged 44, of Hilderstone, said: "It needs to be much clearer; either open to traffic or completely closed off for pedestrians.

"When you walk down the street with your children you are frightened to let go of their hand. Every half a minute you have to jump out of the way of a car or van. Shutting it completely during the day would be much better for shoppers."

Housewife Andrea Hodson, of Milwich, suggested the "chaos" of unexpected cars could only discourage High Street shoppers.

The 36-year-old said: "There are already too many charity shops – this is another reason to avoid the town centre and visit the complexes out of town.

"Pedestrianisation would be welcomed but there is a lot more beside which needs to be improved." Farmer Ben Hall, aged 17, of Croxden, was perplexed why so many cars currently drove down a supposedly pedestrianised street.

The A-level student said: "Almost everything Uttoxeter has going for it is based out of the town centre.

"It would be a good idea to stop cars completely but they shouldn't stop the improvements there."

Gap-year student Tom Miles, of Marchington Woodlands, reckoned a "poor effort" at pedestrianisation was the least of Uttoxeter's worries.

The 18-year-old said: "We have got plenty of curry houses and opticians but there are no clothes shops for teenagers and not much motivation to come into town.

"If they really could stop all vehicles coming down during the day at least it would make the place a bit more safe."

Retired farmer Jean Beresford, of Milwich, also demanded further town centre progress.

The 66-year-old said: "The town centre started to fail when the cattle market was closed back in 2005. It has all been downhill since then.

"Proper pedestrianisation would only be a small start to bringing people back into town."

A deadline for representations regarding the proposal has now passed. The county council is expected to announce its next step later this month.