TRAFFIC could be banned from circling Weymouth's King's Statue under a major revamp of the town's seafront.

Council bosses plan to alter road layouts - including possibly axing the Esplanade/King Street mini roundabout next to the Jubilee Clock - in an effort to make the resort more pedestrian friendly.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council wants the changes - funded by heritage lottery cash - to better highlight the town's listed buildings.

The package of measures include:

Creating a new paved pedestrianised area around the King's Statue and gyratory roundabout nearby

Creating a new square in front of the Pier Bandstand including palm trees by narrowing the road and scrapping car parking spaces

Replacing the Esplanade/King Street mini roundabout with a T-junction once the town's relief road is complete

Shutting underground toilets near the Tourist Information Centre

Restoring seafront statues, shelters and other seafront and Park District buildings to former glories.

The proposals, unveiled as part of the council's Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) project, would be paid for by £565,000 of Heritage Lottery funding.

The borough will hear later this year whether the bid has been successful. Derek Cope, chairman of Weymouth Civic Society, today welcomed plans to spruce up many seafront monuments.

He said: "We often say more should made of the town's heritage and these proposals are doing just that.

"Creating a public square around the King's Statue would be a positive step - currently that area is cluttered and somewhat run down.

"The scheme would involve changes to the road layouts but overall we feel this would be very beneficial to the town."

Also contained in the scheme is money spent on more lighting along the Esplanade and landscape work in New Street, near the seafront entrance to Mark's and Spencer, and at Alexandra Gardens.

The plans commissioned by the council and drawn up by consultants Watkins:Dally (corr) are on display at Weymouth Pavilion until September 18.

Coun Doug Hollings, chairman of the council's THI working group, said: "The proposals from the consultants provided some exciting and thought provoking ideas and we will be interested in hearing the views of residents.

"I would urge people to visit the exhibition to look at what the consultants are suggesting as ways of enhancing the Esplanade and the setting of its historic buildings.

"If we get the support of residents then there is a much better chance of getting lottery funding."

Residents viewing the scheme at the Pavilion were positive about the plans.

Ann Charles said: "It would be nice to see the King's Statue area improved.

"Money being spent on the town's heritage is a good thing. Some of the shelters are in poor condition and it would also be nice to see a few more trees along the sea front."

Anne Collins, from Southill, added: "Weymouth is a lovely traditional seaside town but we need to ensure things like toilets are kept in good condition.

"I like the ideas being put forward."