The main road through Hayes town centre looks set to be opened back up to two-way traffic.

Station Road would be reconnected to Coldharbour Lane and Botwell Lane again, while traffic at the junction at its northern end could be controlled using either traffic signals or a dual roundabout system, under plans revealed by Hillingdon Council.

The council wants to start construction next autumn and estimates the transformation would take 18 months.

Cycle lanes, better parking, new bus stop locations and two-way access in Crown Close are among the other changes being considered.

David Brough, chairman of the Hayes Town Partnership, said it was a ‘golden opportunity’ to transform Hayes.

“The provision for proper cycling lanes and the exploitation of the canal as a real local amenity are improvements that I have wanted to see for a long time.

“The main challenge is to make sure that traffic flows slowly and safely through the town and I will be pressing for the design to ensure that this is achieved. A 20mph limit would be a good starting point.”

The project is being funded through a £4.5m Transport for London (TfL) grant, awarded to Hillingdon Council to regenerate Hayes town last year.

The Station Road proposals will be music to the ears of many traders and visitors, who have long said that the existing road layout has deterred visitors and led to it becoming a ghost town at night.

The first public consultation was held in September and October last year, which asked people what changes they wanted to see.

Two thirds of people said they wanted the town’s main access road – Station Road – now a cul-de-sac with echelon parking, to be opened up to through traffic.

With the main priorities set, another consultation has been launched, asking for views before a final plan is drawn up. A questionnaire has been sent to 4,500 households in the immediate area.

The survey can also be filled out online and the deadline for responses is noon on January 13, 2014.

Station Road was part pedestrianised in 2002 and two-way access has been closed off since 1992 when the Hayes bypass, which runs adjacent to the east, was built.

The proposals will be on display at Botwell Green Leisure Centre, in East Avenue, Hayes, from next Monday, December 2 until January 13, 2014.

Council officers will be there to answer your questions on December 17, 10am-7pm, and Thursday, January 9, 2-8pm.

Councillor Douglas Mills, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Last year we asked people what their top priorities were for Hayes and now we’re in a position to deliver what people told us mattered to them.

“The thoughts and opinions of people who live, work and own businesses in Hayes are important to us.”

For more information and to fill out a consultation form online, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/towncentres and click on Hayes Town Centre, and then Town Centre Improvements.