Traffic planners have been warned controls on a busy shopping street could strangle passing trade and cause chaos in an emergency.

Brighton and Hove City Council wants to close off the junction of Clarence Square with Western Road and stop motorists abusing a main bus route.

The measures focus on Dyke Road, Western Road and North Street, Brighton, and planners hope to reinforce bus lanes. They would also stop motorists using the junction of Clarence Square to get into Western Road from the seafront, even though there are No Entry signs.

The council is consulting people on the proposals but Tory councillor Ted Kemble, a taxi driver, told the environment committee: "If there were a major incident, there could be chaos."

He said there would then be no way in which traffic could get out of the main section of Western Road into the seafront.

Environment councillor Gill Mitchell said this would be considered.

The main thrust of the proposals is contra-flow bus lanes operating all the time in Dyke Road, Western Road and North Street.

This would reinforce the existing bus, taxi and cycle areas and allow easier enforcement.

Ship Street would be made one-way northbound between Duke Street and North Street to reduce through-traffic in the old town area and reduce congestion for buses and taxis.

Street trader Richard Mears, who runs a Christmas wrapping paper stall in Western Road, said the junction should be fully reopened.

But he said there should be a street market in Western Road between Clarence Square and the Clock Tower.

This would provide a real attraction and he said: "It would become the best road in Europe."

The market area would also physically prevent cars from using the main area of Western Road.

Helen Rudd, licensee of the Pull and Pump in Clarence Square, said blocking off the junction could cause problems.

She will have to study the plans in detail before deciding whether or not to object but was also worried about deliveries by drays to the pub.

Inspector Simon Labett said the police were also giving detailed consideration to the plans before making a response.

Eileen Robertson, a retired civil servant aged 69, of Western Road, Hove, said: "I do not think it would be a good idea.

"It is bad enough now when there is an accident in Western Road."

City Liberal Democrat group leader Paul Elgood said: "The way we are going almost every entrance to Western Road will be closed.

"This causes concern over emergency access and means longer journeys around the main shopping area.

"Traders at the other end of Western Road also say such junction closures strangle their passing trade."

Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company's managing director Roger French said: "We support the idea of closing Clarence Square as it is a regular rat run being abused by motorists.

"We suggest some kind of removable bollard could be used so that if an emergency did arise it could be used."

Brighton and Hove transport councillor Simon Battle said: "It is always possible to include access for emergency vehicles even if it means going the wrong way down streets or having keys to bollards."

Coun Battle said with fewer cars in Western Road there would be less congestion and that streets would be safer.

Detailed plans are available in the foyer of Brighton Town Hall until January 9 between 9am and 4.30pm.