PART pedestrianisation of Wisbech Market Place could begin as early as November if an 18 month experimental order wins approval.

Councillor David Oliver, Leader of Wisbech Town Council, said today talks with Cambridgeshire County Council are well advanced to 'put the experimental order in place and to look and see how it works.'

The town council, who now control the Market Place following its handing back by Fenland District Council, have a �50,000 'war chest' to help pay for the improvements. The money, jointly provided by the district and county councils, will pay for barriers to go up, signage, new parking bay lay outs and paving of some parts of the market area.

Movable barriers will restrict traffic into the town centre with no access allowable on market days, Thursdays and Saturdays. The northern side where the Horsefair shopping centre is situated will be fully pedestrianised.

One key feature of the proposals will be to allow traffic through the currently blocked off Church Terrace end of the market. An extra 25 on road parking bays will also be provided.

Any parking in the centre, however, will be restricted to an hour and ticket machines will be provided so that the time can be monitored…

Cllr Oliver said enforcement would be an issue and no decision has been taken yet as to which company that may be recruited to ensure people do not park longer than allowed.

'What we hope is to achieve a solution for everyone and which doesn't upset people who park genuinely,' said Cllr Oliver. 'All we are asking people now is for them to give the town council a chance to see if the new system works.'