WE want the traffic back. That’s the plea from some Businesses in Boscombe, almost two decades after the centre of the Bournemouth suburb was pedestrianised.

A campaign is lobbying Bournemouth council to re-open the shopping precinct to one-way traffic.

Businesswoman Gina Mackin is collecting letters from small business and major firms to present to the council.

“We think it would regenerate the area to have traffic coming from the Pokesdown train station direction,” said Gina, who has traded in the area for 18 years.

“The larger shops don’t feel they get the trade at the moment, because no traffic sees them. The Sovereign Centre is also in favour of a change.

“It would also get rid of some of the problems on the precinct, especially in the evenings.”

Gina, the owner of the Pacifico Group, which includes a café and the Best Western Montague Hotel, added: “It could still be kept wide enough for pedestrians to use.”

She said the police would like to be able to drive from the McDonalds end of the precinct to Sea Road but some businesses want to expand on the idea.

It is a far cry from the sentiments expressed in the summer of 1990 when traders were preparing for a shopping boom following months of disruption.

John Shannessy, from property agents Ellis and Partners, said: “Opening up of the pedestrianised section to limited traffic with 10-20 minute parking would mean people can actually see what shops are trading.

“The idea would be of great benefit to the traders.”

Café Boscanova has outside seating in the pedestrian area and co-owner Jon Burdge said: “We’ve only been here a couple of years but the fact it’s pedestrianised has played a major part in our business.

“The area is getting better all the time.

“Those people in the precinct would be here whether it was pedestrianised or not.”

Cllr Phil Stanley-Watts, Boscombe West, said: “Personally, I wouldn’t support it. When I bring my family it’s already a bit dangerous with the traffic on market days.

“It would be better to use the pedestrian area for more events. But if the businesses want this looked into, I would agree with doing that.”