A council report has recommended that Station Road in Kenilworth town centre is closed "indefinitely".

It said the temporary road closure, which has been in place since early 2020, has successfully reduced "near misses and collisions" at the junction with Warwick Road.

And it said making the end of the street fully pedestrianised would be an "economic benefit" to local businesses and charities by creating "a safe pedestrianised space for extra seating or stalls".

The report will be considered on Friday, February 17 by Warwickshire County Council's portfolio holder for transport and planning, Cllr Wallace Redford.

The Kenilworth town centre street was originally blocked off in spring 2020 to ease social distancing during the pandemic.

Following a request from Kenilworth Town Council, Warwickshire County Council announced in November 2021 that it would remain closed into 2022 pending a public consultation.

The extension was originally put in place for up to 18 months, and residents were able to respond to a public consultation which closed at the end of May last year. 

WCC's report said the ban has "prohibited the misuse of the right turn ban at the junction of Station Road and Warwick Road, which was widely ignored by motorists.

"Additionally, the closure created a pedestrianised area for local businesses to utilise this space, creating a small pedestrian parklet."

It added: "If the permanent closure of the road is approved, a full safety assessment will take place on surrounding roads and any engineering measures installed as appropriate."

Three letters of support were sent to WCC asking for the road to remain closed - nine objections were also sent to the authority.

Station Road is only fully closed for the first 16 metres from its junction with Warwick Road, with KTC currently building a 'pocket park' in its place.

The town council has continued to put plans together for what the section of road could be used for, should the closure be made permeant.

Councillors said at the end of September that it could cost around £50,000 for it to be paved over.

And the report set to be discussed next week says: "Any future works will solely be funded by Kenilworth Town Council and subject to separate discussions."