Bosses at a DIY store sparked fury by putting up a fence to stop Shoreham swimmers using a car park as a short cut.
Users of Wadurs swimming pool in Kingston Broadway, Shoreham, have parked in the adjoining Homebase car park since the Nineties.
But two months ago a fence was put across the car park's southern entrance, blocking the link to the pool.
Swimmers have been parking outside the pool to avoid walking a long distance around the car park.
Shopkeepers say this is affecting their trade as passing drivers have nowhere to stop.
The fence has also angered residents who use the car park from the south side as a short cut to shops.
Resident Roger Rowlands said: "This has caused a lot of grief. The swimmers are having to park in Kingston Broadway, which is a busy slip road.
"Excited children are jumping out of cars and crossing a dangerous road."
Adur councillor Geoff Howitt said: "I think it's sad. It is not a car park which is ever full to the brink, except perhaps at Christmas.
"I really cannot see why Homebase is being so obdurate. All it is going to do is upset people who will then decide to do their shopping at B&Q instead."
The company has applied to Adur Council for retrospective planning permission for the fence.
A spokesman for Homebase said it had been put up for health and safety reasons.
He said: "A decision was taken to erect a fence around the Shoreham store car park to prevent the public from using it as a short cut and putting themselves at risk from traffic accidents."
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