A disabled resident will “no longer be able to leave their home during the daytime” after a decision to restrict vehicle access, according to disability groups.

Possability People and Brighton Access for Disabled Groups Everywhere (BADGE) said they were shocked and dismayed by the decision by Brighton and Hove City Council to close Gardner Street to all vehicles between 11am and 5pm every day over concerns for disabled people who regularly visit the popular shopping area.

They also expressed serious concern for a disabled resident who lives on the street, who they claim would be unable to leave their home during the daytime due to the changes.

Possability People’s chief officer Geraldine Des Moulins described the decision as an “exclusionary policy” that “puts trader’s profits above people”.

She said: “I don’t think the city council has any idea of the impact of their plan to close Gardner Street is going to have people to have on disabled people.

“In fact, all they’ve done is demonstrate how little they understand the needs of disabled people and the day-to-day realities of living with an impairment or long-term health condition.

“We are especially concerned for the disabled resident who relies on their car to live an independent life.

“What happens when their condition fluctuates and they need to get to their GP, or have other emergencies that need to be dealt with, or just want to go about their day like everyone else but can’t - because their car is locked in?

“This is such an exclusionary policy. 13,500 disabled people in the city are reliant on their vehicles or wheelchairs as mobility aids. This closure directly discriminates against those residents and is putting trader’s profits above people.”

The daily closure of the road to cars had been planned to run from 11am to 7pm, but was shortened to 11am to 5pm following consultation after concerns about disabled access.

BADGE’s co-founders Pippa Hodge and Rob Arbery said that the city’s blue badge holders feel let down over a lack of debate around the challenges the changes will pose for disabled people in the city.

They said: “This life-changing decision exposes the deficits of the traffic regulation order process and the lack of integrity of Brighton and Hove Council’s equality impact assessment mechanism, and the value that is placed on equality impact assessments by officers and councillors.”

The decision to close the road to cars was passed in a meeting of the environment, transport and sustainability committee after receiving the backing of four Green councillors, while Conservative councillors voted against the move and Labour abstained.

Councillor Steve Davis, who co-chairs the committee, said: “These changes will support our local businesses through some extremely tough economic times, allowing them to expand outdoor seating and hopefully attract more custom and trade.

“While putting forward plans to pedestrianise parts of our city centre it is essential that we consider the needs of all of our residents. The extra seven Disabled Parking Bays in nearby Regent Street would also mean that more Blue Badge holders can access the North Laine area.

“The new shared space in Gardner Street will be accessible for all, including pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users. We’ll also be installing more dropped kerbs to ensure better access to businesses on both sides of the street.

“These plans will see Gardner Street become a much safer, cleaner and more welcoming place for people to visit and support the local economy.”