The leader of Trowbridge Town Council is running an online poll on whether residents would like to see an avenue of trees planted on Stallard Street.
So far, at the time of writing the response to the poll is running at 88 per cent in favour and 12 per cent against the idea.
Cllr Stewart Palmen put forward the suggestion on his Trowbridge Central Ward News and Views Facebook page.
The move followed the council’s announcement that it intends to apply for a grant to plant hundreds more trees in Trowbridge as part of the town’s Green Thread Project.
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Cllr Palmen said: “Been thinking about where I would like to see trees in Trowbridge and Stallard Street opposite Innox Mills would be a great place to take up some tarmac and plant trees.
“Currently, it’s a massive wide area of road where in reality only two lanes are needed.
“The road could be narrowed and still allow bus stops and parking spaces/feeder lanes and have a green strip with trees.
“It would look so much better and make more sense. It is wide enough for a dual carriageway at the moment for no reason.
“So far the Greener Trowbridge Strategy has helped plant trees and clean up some of the existing green spaces but has failed to create any new green spaces and the current works around town, while improving the look and functionality has done little to enlarge green spaces.
“Trees planted in what is now pointless tarmac would really help! I will start a poll to see if people are in favour of this idea.”
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So far, most people are in favour of the idea, saying it will help to ‘green up’ the town centre and alleviate climate change.
One woman said: “Adding green corridors to urban areas can reduce air temperature which is really valuable in an increasing global climate.”
But others are not so sure, with some saying it will lead to further traffic chaos, delays and congestion if the road is closed, ripped up and redesigned for tree planting.
Cllr Palmen responded: “I think these works could be done without closing the road. The road is wide enough that it should be possible to keep it open during the works.”
Others are concerned about the impact on the environment, saying the trees could reduce the light into nearby shops and homes, and that leaves could block drains and make the road slippery in autumn.
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