SENIOR councillors in Darlington have agreed to press on with plans to create a new "pedestrian heart" for the town centre.

Cabinet members approved the revamp on Tuesday - despite a swell of protest and concerns about some aspects of the scheme.

In recent weeks, fears have been voiced about allowing cyclists in pedestrian areas and changes to the historic nature of High Row.

Urging the Cabinet to "stick with the plans", council leader John Williams insisted consultation had been thorough and that most Darlington people were in favour of the scheme.

But his remarks were later dismissed as "spin" by leading Conservative councillor Charles Johnson.

"Support for this is not as overwhelming as he says it is," he said, adding that the Tory group backs pedestrianisation in principle.

The council wants the new scheme to spearhead efforts to attract new businesses to Darlington and make the centre more appealing to shoppers.

A report to Tuesday's meeting said: "It is vital to respond to improvements in competing centres if Darlington is to recapture trade."

On the cycling issue - hotly contested by groups representing disabled people - Coun Williams proposed a "suck it and see" approach.

This means a six-month trial period allowing cyclists into the centre and then a review.

"If there are problems we will look seriously as to what we can do about them - including the possibility of banning cycling in the town centre," he said. "We will take on board safety issues. This is the only way to take note of public opinion.

"It is not set in stone."

Coun Williams said plans for High Row - which include demolition of some Victorian features - were part of a total scheme.

"This is a very visionary scheme which will be of enormous significance to Darlington and make it a much better place than it is now," he said.

"Most people are with us on this."

Referring to strong protests from the Civic Trust, Coun Williams said: "I respect their views, but they are unrepresentative of public opinion. This has been made clear during consultation, which has been thorough."

Coun Nick Wallis, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said until recently he had not heard one comment about the scheme which was not positive.

But he added: "There have been worries about cycling in the centre and we have taken these very real concerns on board.

"This is a sensible way forward. Let's see how pedestrians and cyclists can work together."

Civic Trust vice-chairman Clive Owen said: "Planning matters are not supposed to be party political, but here we have a single party committee so there are no opposing members on it."

* No debate: page 16

* Leading article: page 20