Road closures and poor access are killing trade in Brighton's Lanes, according to a traders' association.

The Brighton Lanes Traders' Association says shopkeepers in the area have to cope with more obstacles than other businesses in the town. Problems they face include road closures, lack of access for buses and the commandeering of shop premises for council offices.

The association believes the changes will result in a fall in the number of small independent traders in the Lanes and make the area more dependent on tourism. It is also angry the Lanes car park is the only one in the area where charges are to rise.

Sue Addis, chairman of the traders' association, said: "The increased parking charges that are being proposed further disadvantage this main tourism area. To burden the Lanes with these massive increases in parking fees rather than spread the costs fairly appears to be a quick fix to raise revenue rather than a well thought-out strategy."

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