A new bus terminal, pedestrianisation,a multi storey car park and a Coronation Park land snatch to provide extra embankment parking were this week due to be considered as part of a major new Dartmouth town traffic plan.

The controversial proposals are the culmination of two years of meetings, arguments, public debates and the largest traffic and park survey carried out in the town's history.

The resulting traffic plan was to be discussed by the specially formed traffic and parking group made up of town councillors and town representatives at a Guildhall meeting due to go ahead yesterday evening.

Suggestions for the future of traffic and parking in Dartmouth now include:

l No unrestricted parking in the town centre except four hours on North Embankment all year round.

l Improved marketing, signage and ticketing for the park and ride.

l Coach parking moved to Admiral Court and the park and ride extended into the overflow area as soon as possible which would virtually double the available space.

l A bus terminal either on the site of the community greenhouse and council depot – both of which would be moved out of town – or outside the police station as used during regatta. This terminal could also be used as the coach drop-off point.

l Pedestrianisation of Smith Street, Higher Street and Fairfax Place as a first phase followed by the Boatfloat area and the frontage of the Flavel.

l Extra provision for parking made by echelon spaces along the side of Coronation Park. This would entail obtaining land from the park, and widening the carriageway by two metres with an estimated cost of £70,000.

l Pedestrianisation of Lower Street either as shared useage of cars and pedestrians, or totally with all Lower Ferry Cars diverted around the South Embankment.

l A multi-storey car park built at the bottom of College Way on BRNC land.

l Residential parking in Victoria Road, for those who live in the centre of town.

Moves to produce a traffic and parking plan for Dartmouth began in 2011 after Devon County Council backed down over the introduction of pay and display meters for the town centre streets in the face of fierce opposition and asked the town to come up with its own proposals.

The latest traffic plan document declared that the survey which achieved a response from 400 households had not been conclusive and resulted in the need for 'an open discussion around all options to see if there is a radical solution we can take to the community'.

It declared that the general philosophy being looked at was:

l That the limited parking stock available in lower town should be available for short-stay parking, businesses and residents only.

l The park and ride should be for visitors and long-stay parking and radically improved – funded by short-term pay and display parking in some areas of the lower town.

l The pedestrianisation of streets around the Boatfloat, Fairfax Place and Duke Street could enhance the town centre experience for tourists and residents.

Any final recommendations emerging from yesterday's meeting would have to go to Dartmouth Town Council before being passed to Devon County Council.