Traders claim a new bus lane plan will “prejudice” against tens of thousands of residents while causing traffic to come to a standstill.

For years, the majority of northbound-travelling vehicles on London Road have been barred from turning right into Oxford Street, Brighton.

But as part of wider plans to revive the trading area, Brighton and Hove City Council wants to extend the bus lane restrictions to those trying to turn left after heading south.

Local authority officers claim it will encourage sustainable transport use and make it more welcoming to visitors.

 

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But traders claim it will mean residents of east Brighton and delivery vehicles will have to take a mile-long detour via New England Street, which will only add to congestion.

Ann Townsend, co-chairman of the London Road Area Traders Association said: “This would produce yet another hindrance to trade on the London Road.

“It will make deliveries and access to the area even more difficult in particular for people in east Brighton, increase journey times three or fourfold for everyone concerned and in all probability have a negative effect on bus times.”

Former council leader and current Conservative councillor Mary Mears, whose family run a fruit and vegetable market in the area, said: “This could have a dramatic effect on the local economy.

“It is just another attempt to make the life of the motorist as difficult as possible without having fully considered the consequences.”

Neil Underhill, of Principal Meats, who has traded in London Road for more than 25 years, said: “This is absolute madness. I can see the road coming to a standstill as the cars and delivery lorries stack up waiting to turn right.”

A council spokesman said: “The council recently listened to complaints from local residents relating to unclear signage in and around Oxford Street. Officers discovered that the signage is unclear as it relates to an experimental bus lane arrangement that was implemented in Oxford Street some years ago, but never formalized.

"That signage includes historic ‘bus and cycle’ only signs restricting access from London Road at the entrance to Oxford Street. So effectively, the existing arrangement prohibits left turns into Oxford Street from London Road.

"The traffic order process enables the council to either formalize the existing traffic arrangement, and so clarify associated signage, or formally gather feedback that could support amendment to the existing arrangement.

"If anyone does have views on the existing arrangement, we would therefore encourage them to take the opportunity to register their views before 12th November 2013”

People have until November 12 to comment on the plans. For more details visit brighton-hove.gov.uk/tro-proposals.