A MOVE which could see England's smallest town close its high street to traffic on weekends has been put on the table. 

Manningtree Town Council is asking residents for their views on the proposal through a social media post.

It follows a number of successful events which have seen the road shut. 

Michelle Taylor, mayor of Manningtree, said the council was interested to hear what people had to say.

She said: “We were approached last month last time there was a closure for road works

“At the last town council meeting, they said let’s put it out to public opinion.

“As a council, we’ve got no opinion either way - we wanted to see what the public think.

“It’s been a lively debate and we’ll take it back to the next meeting.

“We’re quite neutral, but someone suggested it. Let’s put it out and see what everyone thinks.

“We’re still pursuing our 20’s Plenty through the high street. It’s a very long, drawn out process.

“We haven’t got any kind of response from businesses.”

The social media discussion will remain open for the next three weeks, until the next town council's meeting.

From there, the council will assess the opinions shared by residents and tally up votes for both sides.

William Shearer, from the Dedham Vale Society, said: "As Manningtree High Street is outside the Dedham Vale and does not have a direct impact on it, the society does not have a position on whether or not it should be closed to vehicles at the weekend.

"As a resident of Mistley who walks along it more often than I drive on it, I don’t think it is a good idea, as it would divert traffic onto other already overburdened roads, such as Quay Street and South Street.

"It would also make it harder for the elderly and disabled to drive into town and shop at the weekend. I think it would also hurt local businesses as a time when Manningtree is becoming a more popular shopping destination."

Businesses don't believe it would necessarily have an impact on people coming to the town. 

Lucy White, one of the managers at The Crown Pub on the High Street, said: "I don’t suppose it will bother us - if you can get around the back, it probably won’t affect us.

“I don’t necessarily think the traffic coming through the high street will stop people coming to Manningtree.

"Probably just buses and things like that will be affected.

“People get around it if they know that’s where they want go.

“I think that will probably be a good thing.

“If this is something people of Manningtree and Mistley are happy with, businesses need to make sure they’re still present in the town.”