Motorists are furious after being sent round the houses after a traffic ban was slapped on a tiny stretch of a busy shopping street.

Two road signs have been erected on St James's Street in Brighton banning car users from travelling along a short stretch of the road.

Drivers are having to turn left into Cavendish Street, right into Ardingly Street, down the High Street then back on to St James's Street.

Many motorists have been ignoring the diversion.

Pensioner Bert Lewis, 78, of High Street, said: "It beggars belief. I'm not trying to get on my high horse, but you have to think it's ridiculous. You can't restrict just 20 yards of road."

The brakes were put on motorists as part of Brighton and Hove Council's £500,000 enhancement of the area.

Paul Johnson, practice manager at the doctors' surgery, Simler, Tredgold and Sutcliffe, in Ardingly Street, which has become part of the diversion, said: "Frankly it's a stupid idea. It's bonkers. Why restrict traffic for just a few yards?"

Mike Watts, of Wattfish fish shop, said: "I can't see any motive for it. I'm baffled by it totally. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason in it."

Jill Budd, of Cash Converters, in St James's Street, has sent a letter of complaint to the council. She said: "We should be told why traffic has to be sent around the block. It's ridiculous."

Mike O'Connell, of Blakers Estate Agents warned if the scheme was enforced there would be bloodshed. He added: "We have had just about enough of what we can stand."

Motorists who are caught ignoring the ban face a fine of £20, which can rise to £40 with points added to their licence.

A spokesman for the council said: "The idea is to discourage traffic from using St James's Street as a short-cut to avoid the roundabout at the Palace Pier.

"Local people also wanted to make sure the bus route was retained, which has been done, and the street is accessible to residents, traders and people wanting to visit the area to shop.

"Thirty minute parking bays have been introduced for the first time. Pavements have also been widened for pedestrians.

"The restriction runs from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, but buses, taxis and cyclists can still gain access.

"It is one of several measures to reduce through traffic. We will be monitoring Ardingly Street to see whether it has extra traffic as a result of the new traffic order."