Plans to cut down on car use in Brighton's Lanes are “just the start”, according to council chiefs.

Brighton and Hove City Council has spent four years drawing up plans to make The Lanes more pedestrian-friendly, claiming it would boost trade and tourism.

Despite a government inspector throwing most of its proposal out after a £25,000 public inquiry, the local authority has pushed ahead with the scheme in East Street, Ship Street and Prince Albert Street.

Revised proposals have now been agreed by a majority of councillors on the transport committee with the promise that shutting off streets will be taken on a step-by step basis.

Council leaders claim the move means the local authority can now apply for grants of up to millions of pounds to further improve the area.

Green councillor Ian Davey said: “If we can make a start then the council has a good economic case when applying for real proper investment in this area so it can be the real credit to the city that it deserves to be.

“If we do not then it will continue as it is.”

But Labour councillor Alan Robins said: “I think it works really well as it is.”

Conservative councillor Tony Janio said: “I do not like to see this piecemeal approach taken. I'm not a big fan of this scheme and think it could be done in bits.

“But having had a very large VW nearly run me over when I was doing my Christmas shopping in The Lanes I am inclined to support it.”

The first part of the plan - the closure of Ship Street and ban on HGVs after 11am - will be introduced by March.