RADICAL changes to Winchester 's traffic system may be afoot as civic chiefs draw up a new transport strategy.

An end to the notorious one-way system would be considered if the evidence supports the change, said the city council traffic supremo, James Byrnes.

He said he approached the issue with no pre-conceptions.

Cllr James Byrnes, portfolio holder for transport and professional services, said: "It is looking fundamentally at traffic movement. If the evidence concludes we need fundamental changes to the one-way system then I don't rule out any any possible solution if it is the right one."

The joint study by the city and county councils will look at all aspects such as congestion, air pollution, access for pedestrian, cyclists as well as drivers.

Transport has been contentious issue in the city for decades. A parking survey has just concluded and Cllr Byrnes will be analysing the results.

There have been recent clashes between environmental campaigners who say traffic should be discouraged by reducing city centre parking, a council policy for 20 years and business leaders who argue that reducing parking is damaging city shops.

Several car parks have closed such as Chesil Street and Friarsgate multi-storey. Upper Brook Street is soon to follow for the new doctors' surgery.

Last month the council planners voted to partially re-open Friarsgate for eventually 50 spaces.

Cllr Byrnes said: "The views of the business community are just as important as the views of residents of central Winchester. Parking is vital to keeping the local economy ticking along.

"There is a balance to be found. Simply moving the parking out is too simplistic. It may have worked in the past. It is right that we look again and challenge those assumptions. I have no problems having that debate with Chris Gillham (of Friends of the Earth) or Phil Gagg."

Pollution in the city centre is amongst the worst in the county with high levels of pollutants breaching legal limits.

Mr Gillham said: "We are moving backwards. Over Friarsgate Cllr Byrnes was pretty clear, where he seemed to be parroting the BID talk about the nonsense of air pollution being a function of not enough car parking.

"The idea that car parks are full so people are circulating looking for spaces. If you add more parking the same thing happens again but at a higher level of traffic."

The more car parking, the more traffic and the more pollution. Pollution is killing people."

The study is expected to take about 12 months with a public consultation at the end.