Controversial proposals to block off a public highway have been withdrawn following backlash from traders, residents and councillors.

Developers for intu Watford previously submitted plans to Watford Borough Council to install a new pair of entrance doors at either end of the Queen's Road underpass, because they believe the road is an "uninviting space".

The new sets of doors would have created one passage between the two sections of the shopping centre, but traders fear they will create a barrier and in due course a closure of the last and final link that Queen's Road Broadway has with High Street.

Residents, traders and councillors were united in condemning the idea and last week Mayor Dorothy Thornhill asked the centre to rethink their plans and withdraw the current scheme.

A petition started by Liberal Democrat County Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, along with traders and the Queens Community Action Group, has so far gained more than 1,500 signatures.

The petition states: “We expect that this will have an unduly negative effect on traders in The Broadway where local residents, councillors and traders have achieved improvements to this shopping area.

“Placing two sets of ‘lobby’ doors will restrict the freedom to have a clear, uncluttered and unbroken thoroughfare across the intu intersection that has existed since it was built being part of the original planning permission.

“These lobbies, with a barrier of four doors, will discourage those visiting intu and walking from the High Street from visiting The Broadway. This is a public highway, Herts County Council should not grant any licence for such a structure which could also lead to an increase in anti-social activity, especially in the lobby areas.”

Representatives for intu said they have listened to concerns and will be submitting a new application shortly.

Helen Lynch, chair of the Queens community action group, said: "intu wanted to make this part of the public highway part of their mall and stop easy access to the Broadway shops from the High Street - it really is not on. I do hope any revised ideas take on board our genuine concerns about the effect this could have on the community and shop keepers."

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst said "We have not won yet as we do not know what intu are to propose next.

"But they could do a lot more to make their own mall interesting for shoppers to encourage movement between the two parts of the mall without blocking the public highway with doors. We met and told than that and I hope they listened, understand and accept our

views."

Howard Oldstein, general manager of intu Watford, said: "There’s been some comments about our planning application to include doors on the Queen’s Road entrance to intu Watford. As part of this application, we’ve met with Watford Council and other interested groups.

"We’ve listened to people’s views and decided to relook at the plans to incorporate some changes before submitting a new planning application shortly. "We want to improve the Queen’s Road part of intu Watford for the benefit of our customers, and enhance the surrounding area of Watford for residents and local businesses.

"We hope that our revised proposals will be well received."

The petition will be delivered to Hertfordshire County Council and Watford Borough Council. To view it, visit: http://www.watfordlibdems.org/intudoors.