Matlock Civic Association has called for the scheme, which would see vehicles and pedestrians sharing the same space, to be considered, but Wirksworth resident Alan Foster, who is blind, said he had serious worries.

"I feel strongly about it. It is the most stupid idea I have ever heard," he added.

"If the cars and pedestrians share the same space how is a blind person to cross the road.

"You would have to make eye contact with the motorist and how is a blind person to do that?"

Mr Foster questioned the Civic Association's claims the scheme had worked in other areas and called for practicality over aesthetic appeal.

He added: "Personally I don't think any place is suitable and I'm not sure it does work in other areas or how safe it is.

"I have a guide dog and she is trained to sit at kerbs. If there are no kerbs where do you get your dog to sit?"

Sue Naish, chief executive for Derbyshire Association for the Blind, said: "We would find it very hard to agree with a decision that made it more difficult for people with a visual impairment to navigate their way through Matlock safely.

"We believe that every person with a visual impairment should be given the opportunity to be to be as independent as possible."

But Matlock Civic Association secretary Ken Parker said shared space had been introduced in other places and the needs of blind people had been considered.

He added: "Towns similar to Matlock have introduced these schemes successfully.

"It is important to stress this is not necessarily the right thing to introduce this scheme across the town centre in one go.

"It might make sense to introduce it in part of the town just to get people used to it and test if it does work."

Mr Parker said a meeting was being held on Monday at 7.30pm in Matlock Imperial Rooms to discuss shared space schemes and concerns can be raised with experts.

A spokesman Derbyshire County Council said they also had reservations about the proposals.

He added: "We understand suggestions of a 'shared space' would mean no clearly defined lines between the pavement and road around the square which would be a safety hazard."