Despite growing concerns from residents and councillors to the £600,000 plans, West Berkshire Council said this week that public approval had already been given - by the 800 people who responding to the town’s Vision 2025 document two years ago.

Six years ago, the council spent £400,000 refurbishing the square, and Tory councillors said full public debate was essential on whether a car ban should be enforced for the Market Place and Wharf Street, and the car park ripped up, so another £600,000 spent on turning the area into a tree-lined piazza.

Conservative Deputy leader Keith Chopping said: “We have serious concerns about the way this project is being handled, in particular the ability of the Council to keep the project within the capital budget of £600,000, which has already doubled from last year’s capital programme.

“The plans to re-pave and pedestrianise the Market Place need full public debate. It is only six years or so since the Council spent about £400,000 of developer contributions improving this site, but it now appears that investment is to be ripped up to start again.

“We need assurances that any new works will stand the test of time and be brought in on budget. As long as the Lib Dems refuse to allow discussion of these matters in their Chamber of Secrets it is no wonder that the Council’s handling of capital projects should command so little public confidence.”

However, the Liberal Democrats insisted that its 2003 survey, in which 63% of the public believed “market days were ruined by traffic” was enough of a mandate to push ahead. Work is set to start in June, and it will also be illegal for cyclists to ride through the new Market Place.

Newbury Town Council also confirmed its support for the scheme last night.