Local people must be involved in deciding what to do with the permanently closed section of Station Road.

That was the message from town councillors following a decision by Warwickshire County Council to indefinitely shut the town centre street.

Having been closed since the pandemic, Station Road has been used as a pocket park by Kenilworth Town Council, with a number of decorated benches installed.

But now looking to find a permanent set up for the road, councillors said local people and businesses need to be involved in choosing what is built there.

Members recommended the new council formed after the May elections should open a public consultation.

"There needs to be a proper consultation," said Cllr Andrew Milton at last week's Kenilworth Town Council meeting. 

"And that consultation should create a brief for how the space should be best utilised and used, so there is a really clear purpose and we spend the money in the right way to enhance the town centre."

Cllr James Kennedy added: "Now we have got the order, this is clearly something that should be picked up by the new council [following the May elections] to discuss with residents and other businesses around there to see what is most appropriate. 

"Just to leave it as a blocked road doesn't look very good. 

"But it is for the new council to pick up."

The county council announced in February that the road would be shut permanently, following a public consultation that was criticised by town councillors.

The scheme had the backing of the town council, while the county's consultation early last year led to letters both in favour and against.

Meanwhile a survey of Nub News readers - which had more responses than the council's consultation - also found locals were split evenly on whether Station Road should remain shut.

The county council hailed the success of a temporary road closure which was aimed at reducing collisions and near misses.