More than $4m will be used to create a pedestrian paradise from Fitzroy St through to the adjacent boulevard that runs through Bicentennial park to the Peel River crossing.

Starting from the corner of Peel St, all of Fitzroy’s curb and guttering will be removed and the street will be restricted to one-way traffic with a speed limit of 10km/h.

Mayor Col Murray said the boulevard would be “opened up, refreshed and modernised”, to create people-friendly access right through to the river.

Parking will be available upon completion – there just won’t be as many parks as there currently is, but Cr Murray said it was a small price to pay.

“Fitzroy Street essentially will become almost like the Martin Place of Tamworth,” Cr Murray said.

“We’re expecting that to provide a whole new level of vibrancy and people activity right in the CBD.

“It’s really exciting. There will be a water feature at surface level, opportunities for things like busking and our other traditional DNA-type activities.

“It will be a great place for the markets to set up and just a great place for people to congregate.”

The upgrade will strengthen the already bustling CBD.

“We are seeing so much more activity in the street – I can remember just a few short years ago, you could come down to Peel Street in the CBD of a Sunday morning and there would be virtually no people,” he said.

“Now it’s hard to find a car space.”

Works are expected to be complete prior to the 2018 Tamworth Country Music Festival, weather permitting and the street will be closed for the majority construction.

“Council worked very hard with businesses [along Fitzroy], with strong consultation all the way through,” Cr Murray said.

“They’ve been kept up to date at every stage of pre-construction works.”