A renowned shopping street could be pedestrianised under plans to clean up the area and revive flagging trade.

Community leaders are asking traders and neighbours what they think about the idea of getting rid of traffic from St James's Street in Kemp Town, Brighton.

Under the plans, the street would be pedestrianised from its junction with Old Steine to where it meets New Steine.

Cars would still be allowed to drive up and down but with a very low speed limit, giving priority to pedestrians.

Buses would be banned and the road resurfaced. The proposals have met mixed reaction.

Some say getting rid of buses and cars would take away important passing trade while others argue it would make the area more attractive to shoppers, creating a Continental-style cafe culture.

In recent years, the community has worked hard to shake off the area's image as a down-at-heel haven for street drinkers and drug dealers.

Traders and residents' forum the St James's Action Group has delivered leaflets asking people what they think of the idea.

Spokesman Mike Dalley, of Cordome gift shop, said: "We envisage an attractive and bustling area with tables and chairs in the street.

"Our initial feedback has been very supportive."

Alan Bond, also of the group, said: "We're asking people who use the street, live here and operate businesses if they think pedestrianisation would be a good thing and personally I feel it would benefit the area.

"We had a significant amount of money spent improving things here a few years back but the street is now in need of a facelift.

"It's begun to get a bit tatty again and our independent businesses are struggling to compete with the High Street.

"This was mooted a few years ago and opinion seemed to be against but I think that has swung now."

Dale Drury, manager of The Bulldog pub, said: "The street has been up and coming for a while now and pedestrianisation could be the making of it.

"Little shops and cafes could have displays and tables and chairs outside and it would be really buzzing and make people want to come here and stay as well as encouraging new businesses to start up.

"It could be like the North Laine area."

Geoff Dawes, of the What Not Shop in St James's Street, said: "I'm not 100 per cent sure and I think much more study needs to be done about the possible effects.

"Instinct tells me it would be good because it would be more pleasant without all the cars but there is potentially an issue of passing trade being lost."

Tom Mannouch, 49, is a fencing contractor who lives in St James's Street. He said: "It would be the final nail in the coffin here and kill trade stone dead.

"It would be like a ghost town. It's an important east to west bus route and I can't see it ever happening."

Mr Dalley said: "The buses provide little if any passing trade.

"Instead they are noisy and cause a lot of people to congregate at the bus stop, which is problematic. It is important they are diverted."

The St James's Action Group is in discussion with Brighton and Hove City Council about how to move forward with the idea. It plans to ask the council to carry out formal confrontation based on the results of its own survey.

A council spokeswoman said: "This is very much a trader-led initiative and the council is happy to listen to any ideas they may have about pedestrianisation."

Friday, July 21, 2006