A WINCHESTER transport expert and city architect are calling for more work on the Winchester Movement Strategy.

Mike Slinn, a past president of the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transport, said much of the document was based on insufficient evidence.

Mr Slinn, who has lived in the city for 38 years, told the town forum: "Much of the modelling work is not fit for purpose," adding "there has been no hearts and minds vision for the city centre.

As an example Mr Slinn said no analysis had been done on the types of car journeys through the city, whether they were local journeys or motorists passing through to go to other places.

Richard Jobson, a partner of Design Engine who has lived in the city for more than 30 years, said new policy should restrict vehicles coming into the old city.

Making North Walls two-way again for the first time in 50 years would reduce traffic on Friarsgate, St George's Street and Jewry Street.

Lorries and coaches could be barred from a two-way North Walls through ANPR (automatic number plate recognition).

Mr Slinn said: "There is no reason why coaches and HGVs should drive through the city centre. We could ban them by using ANPR which is used by lots of authorities and in car parks."

The pavement on the north side of North walls could be removed and the south side pavement widened to 1.8metres making it a more pleasant thoroughfare for pedestrians than at present.

Mr Slinn said around 15 years ago the Winchester Traffic and Access Plan had suggested a two-way North Walls but the idea had got lost.

He said over the years the level of expertise in the county council transport department has "deteriorated" and an outside consultancy should be commissioned to undertake the work.

Mr Jobson said some of Winchester's streets have fabulous architecture which is marred because of cars.

However Cllr Martin Tod pointed out that the strategy has recently been formally adopted and the county council was moving on to do similar strategies for other towns.

Mr Slinn replied: "There should be a halt. Not to 'bin it' but to look again. There is no evidence upon which to make binding conclusions."