Protestors have been chanting outside a primary school over their concern a council scheme could close roads and restrict parking.

A large group held signs and chanted outside Elm Grove Primary School to complain about the Hanover Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme which would see a number of roads either made one way or closed entirely.

The scheme, which Brighton and Hove City Council say will prevent traffic “rat running” in the neighbourhood, has raised concerns that the scheme will actually cause more traffic in the area.

Chris Beaumont, who organised the protest, said: “Longer journeys create more emissions, it’s as simple as that.

“Some people have been trying to portray us as a bunch of petrol heads but we’re not.”

The Argus: Chris Beaumont, who organised the protest | David PerrisChris Beaumont, who organised the protest | David Perris (Image: David Perris)

The Low Traffic Neighbourhood had been proposed by the council and had been in a consultation phase for a number of months.

Maps for the scheme show new one-way roads which aim to feed traffic to bordering roads on Elm Grove and Queen’s Park Road. Concerns have been raised that these roads will not be able to cope with the demand of traffic, and that residents will be forced to drive over a mile longer to leave the neighbourhood.

Jill Perkins, who lives on Hanover Street, said that she would have to drive an extra 1.3 miles for each of her journeys.

She added: “It makes no sense, there’s going to be queues and queues of traffic and there’s no option to say no.”

Other protestors were concerned that Elm Grove Primary School would see a drastic rise in pollution, with one sign reading that “our kids deserve clean air”.

Green Councillor Elaine Hills said: “Schemes elsewhere have shown that optimising streets for those on foot, using wheelchairs or mobility aids and cycling have positive effects on people’s physical and mental health, on air quality and in reducing carbon in the atmosphere.

“As a council we aim to be carbon zero by 2030 and creating neighbourhoods that put the movement of people before vehicle movement will help to achieve this. All properties will still be accessible by vehicle.”