Or could it be that the idea of a radical rethink on Market Hill seems so unpopular only because those who believe we should examine the possibilities seriously are nodding instead of putting pen to paper?

This plan might not be the best possible solution, but it is a starting point and worth considering with open minds, because this moment could be our only chance in a generation, or even more, to do something positive about the Market Hill area.

I love it dearly, as do so many, but I believe it could be greatly improved by reducing the dominance of the car. Is shopping in Sudbury town centre such an enjoyable experience even though national surveys indicate that we rate going to the shops as a favourite pastime?

Even where the pavement has been widened on Market Hill, three people walking abreast, or stopping to chat, is a major obstacle when street lamps, signs and litter bins are put into the equation. And then there are the unpleasant triplets of manoeuvring cars, noise and fumes.

There is no proposal to ban cars from the Market Hill, only to restrict the space devoted to them and the busy-ness of the town on Thursdays and Saturdays proves that people do park elsewhere.

We might not like to admit it, but we have become very lazy when it comes to using our legs. Is it such a problem for the able-bodied if we cannot park a few yards from our particular bank?

The idea of shared space – that is, areas where neither vehicles nor pedestrians have total right of passage – could be a great way of calming traffic down over the whole area. It makes everyone careful and works well in towns here and on the continent.

If you want proof you only have to look at North Street. Traffic there is much calmer than before the pavements were widened, with the road surface raised into virtual pavement at regular intervals. Now drivers are not so sure of their priority and take more care.

I admire Barry Wall for all he has done to drag the history of the town out of the past and make it accessible for present generations, but I do question his assertion that changing the use of the Market Hill need necessarily spoil the views of St Peter’s.

At the moment we see it only over the roofs of a sea of cars from the west. We could experiment with trees in giant pots!

And as for those who say we should wait for the bypass, that won’t help at all, because traffic will still have to pass through the town centre.

The plan on the table is simply an outline of what could be done and has been achieved elsewhere. The Market Hill should be our unique selling point when it comes to attracting shoppers to choose Sudbury because of the ambience.

We must think long and hard, about the future viability of our town as well as our enjoyment of its heart.

Valerie Herbert

Sudbury