MAJOR changes are being planned in the city centre to pave the way for the arrival of John Lewis.

Proposals which could cost up to £2million are being set out which will lead to widespread pedestrianisation and changes to the road layout.

Council chiefs say the changes are needed quickly and could be in place within the next 18 months.

This includes preventing traffic from being able to turn into Sidwell Street from New North Road.

The changes will also see new paving outside the store, which is being created in the old Debenhams building, to match the granite used in High Street.

The King William Street car park will also be refurbished and renamed.

The proposals are due to be discussed by the city's executive committee next week with the recommendation that members agree in principle to reducing traffic flow outside the new store. Any changes to the road layout will have to be rubber-stamped by Devon County Council as the highways authority.

Karime Hassan, Exeter's director of economy and development, told the Echo: "John Lewis is coming and that is going to have an impact on the highway network which means we will have to address issues to do with transport, pedestrians and car parking.

"And we don't have lots of time to think about this."

John Lewis has already announced it intends to take over the former Debenhams building in Sidwell Street.

The city council has reported that, during a recent survey, 21,000 people crossed the top of New North Road between High Street and Sidwell Street in a 12-hour period.

Once John Lewis arrives the number of pedestrians is likely to increase and the aim is to reduce the traffic flow making it easier for people to cross.

With regard to King William Street car park, the city's executive is being asked to approve spending £900,000 on a "full refurbishment". This will include deck repairs, high-quality deck coverings like those which have already been installed in the Guildhall car park, a 'pay-on-foot system', CCTV coverage and better signage as well as structural and cosmetic repairs.

Last winter, saw the completion of a £250,000 facelift for the King William Street car park. The work saw improvements to the ramp connecting it to Sidwell Street, as well as repainting and better lighting.

At present King William is underused, but council officers believe that following refurbishment, charges could increase to equal those at the Guildhall. They say designating it as the main car park for John Lewis would attract more users, possibly making an additional £500,000 per year for the city council.

If given the go-ahead the work would take five months.

Traders in Sidwell Street, the area most likely to be affected by the work, have broadly welcomed the proposals.

Sidwell Street trader Roger Panter of Panter's said: "Stopping cars turning left into Sidwell Street from New North Road would reduce traffic and make Sidwell Street safer.

"There have been two fatalities and a number of other accidents – the crossing at Cheeke Street is too big and too wide.

"I would support it fully as long as they improve the junction of Blackall Road and Longbrook Street at the mini roundabouts so that it takes more traffic."

Regarding the car park Mr Panter said: "By all means rename it the John Lewis car park but get John Lewis to sponsor it."

Long-standing Sidwell Street trader jeweller Ivor Doble, said: "I would rather see the plans in details before making a comment on them, but I would say that anything that joins Sidwell Street to High Street is a great idea.

"I'm all for pedestrianisation – but it always comes back to the buses.

"It would be an idea to have some sort of trolley system running the length of Sidwell Street and High Street – just like the old trolleys used to do."

Contained within the report is the suggestion to rename Broadwalk and Dix's Field car parks Princesshay 2 and Princesshay 3 respectively.

Mr Hassan believes this would encourage drivers to use them rather than queuing for the existing Princesshay car park which has caused tailbacks into Paris Street and Heavitree Road.

Further reports are being prepared on how the proposed measures will impact bus services.

Work to create a John Lewis At Home store is on hold while new plans are drawn up for a much larger outlet at the site.

It is understood the company's board is deciding whether to create a major department store in the city rather than a John Lewis At Home, which was originally proposed.

It means the retail giant is unlikely to open in the autumn as originally planned.