Proposals to change the road layout surrounding Telford shopping centre have been slammed by centre bosses, who says the idea is poorly conceived.

Telford & Wrekin Council wants to spend nearly £12 million installing a new two-way traffic system. However the general manager of the shopping centre, Chris Jones, has said he objected to the proposals.

Four roads – Woodhouse Central, Lawn Central, Grange Central and Coach Central – form a square around the shopping centre and are currently one-way.

They are known collectively as the Box Road. Council bosses say the two-way changes would vastly improve vehicle, pedestrian and cycling movements around the town centre.

But Mr Jones said: “We have objected to the proposals in their current format via the Department of Transport as we believe them to be both premature and poorly conceived.

“There has been no consultation with us to date but we are due to meet with Telford & Wrekin Council representatives within the next two weeks.”

To fund the scheme council bosses are bidding for £9 million of Government funding. If the bid is successful a further £3 million will be pumped in by the council and developers.

Hilda Rhodes, cabinet member for transport, environment and community protection, believes a successful bid is vital.

Adding the changes would be an integral part of the multi-million pound Southwater Project.

She said: “The bid for the money for the Box Road is vital for the successful delivery of the Central Telford Area Action Plan and will enable the release of privately owned and council owned land for development purposes.

“The proposed project consists of making the Box Road a two-way road with associated junction improvements. The scheme is integral to link sites such as the shopping centre with new development sites such as the Southwater development area.”

A decision on whether to submit a full business case for the redevelopment of the Box Road will be made by the cabinet on Thursday.