TRADERS have thrown their support behind proposals to pedestrianise a city centre street.

Many cafe owners in St James’s Street, Brighton, say the change could make the area a “central hub for the city”.

Klajdi Hida owns the Black Sheep Cafe in the street.

The 26-year-old said: “It would be great, I could put tables and chairs out in the street and I would love that.

“I think everybody would.

“There are so many cars and buses coming up here we don’t have a chance to breathe, it’s not enjoyable.

He described the street as “a walking street” but said he often saw people struggling with the width of the pavements

Mr Hida said: “I see people with disabilities and people with pushchairs struggle to pass others on the path.

“I try to keep my A-board out of the way but there isn’t much room.

“A lot of the time tourists walk into the road because they do not realise cars use it, then there are often loud horns.

“If they could pedestrianise it I think people would be really happy – it would be just perfect.”

Brighton Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle also spoke in support of a partial pedestrianisation of the area.

He said: “I think this is very important for the future of St James’s Street.

“It’s a very busy street but often it becomes very difficult to even walk along it.

“No one is talking about not allowing cars, that’s not what it is, so anyone with those concerns is totally erroneous.”

The Argus:

Klajdi Hida, owner of the Black Sheep Cafe

The MP spoke about only pedestrianising the “lower end” of the street near Old Steine, meaning buses would only have to be diverted along the seafront for a short distance.

He said this would allow for opportunities such as cafes having outdoor seating.

Mr Russell-Moyle: “This would be a great positive, but you would have to get the conditions right.

“However, the principle of it is right, and the principle of it is now.”

He suggested allowing some vehicles such as delivery trucks at certain times of the day, and also said the change would be necessary to keep up with the Valley Gardens development which he said could “drive people into the centre of town and away from St James’s Street.”

But Brighton and Hove Buses’ managing director Martin Harris said it was “difficult to see the merit” in removing public transport from the area saying it was “well used, has very low emissions and is a vital link for many people in our local communities”.

He also pointed out the stop is “the second busiest stop in the city for disabled people and older passengers”.

Mr Harris said: “I’m behind anything that creates an attractive environment for everybody using St James’s Street.

“But removing a link that brings thousands of people sustainably to and from the area seems counterproductive.

“It’s clear the city should prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users to keep improving air quality and reduce carbon emissions.

“Reducing traffic in St James’s Street could have some merit, provided there’s still access for public transport and restricted access for essential deliveries for traders.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: "We have no plans to pedestrianise St James’s Street.

“But, if a petition or deputation proposing it were submitted to us we would consider it in the normal way through our committee system.”