A TOWN centre enhancement scheme to make Wimborne town centre easier and safer for pedestrians and disabled people will be discussed by district councillors on Wednesday.

The committee is being asked to approve the principle of the enhancement scheme and that up to £30,000 be committed for the design work and public consultation.

The request comes just weeks after a woman died in the town centre in a collision with a refuse truck.

In the report going before councillors officials state the council has had a long-standing intention to enhance the centre.

"In the subsequent period many other town centres have enjoyed enhancement projects," the report states.

"Wimborne town centre, by contrast, has remained without significant improvement and appears somewhat tired', traffic-dominated and not pedestrian friendly."

The proposal is to focus on The Square, and include the upper High Street and lower West Borough where traffic calming is needed.

A large pedestrian area to the north side of The Square would be created, suitable for ceremonial and civic events, outdoor entertainment, farmers markets and pavement cafes.

The access for buses, taxis and cars would remain, with public parking spaces in The Square replaced in West Borough.

Some footways would be widened in the upper part of High Street, but on-street parking kept.

There would be provision for pedestrian crossings and better bus stop facilities.

The report notes that vehicle access to Church Street would need to be considered as part of the scheme.

To make the scheme work, the report states that district and county council programmes would have to come together.

Councillors will be told the cash from the district council has to be committed as it is now necessary for the design work to begin, so if approved the work can start in 2009.