PLANS are under consideration to pedestrianise parts of Dale Street in Liverpool to cut congestion on the busy thoroughfare.

The council is considering closing off access to the major city centre street from Crosshall Street by the side of the flyover, which would allow for a pedestrian area near the Dale Street magistrates court.

The council estimates that much of the traffic travelling down Dale Street is heading to the waterfront, so the move would see traffic forced to turn right up Hatton Garden to access the Strand from Leeds Street.

City leaders believe the right-turn plan could cut congestion on the street by 25%.

The idea will get its first trial this weekend, when access to Dale Street from Crosshall Street will be closed off while £4m of improvement works take place.

While the council is keen to stress the idea of a pedestrian area extended out into Dale Street is only a possibility at this stage, the idea has reinvigorated suspicions that the fly-over could be demolished in the future.

Currently, the council claims any future pedestrianisation would not completely close off the bottom of Dale Street and could be accommodated by reducing the road from three lanes to two.

Labour council cabinet member for regeneration Cllr Malcolm Kennedy said: “The improvements that this scheme will deliver will help to attract increased inward investment into the area as our Commercial District becomes a more pleasant, and safer, place to travel around.”

A council spokesman added that any move to make the changes permanent would “depend on how it works with the traffic in the coming weeks”.

Liberal Democrat member for regeneration and transport Cllr Paula Keaveney said: “In the past when this has been floated people have pointed out that it would cause major problems for commuters and others from parts of the city.”