Whether it’s from visiting in person or hearing about it by word of mouth, there can be few who have not heard of The Lanes in Brighton.

Whether it is discovering a shopping gem hidden around one of the many twisting twittens or sampling a coffee in its fantastic cafés, there is plenty to attract visitors.

But traffic management is not one of them.

Originally the heart of the old fishing town of Brighthelmstone, the city’s old town centre has developed since the 13th century yet it retains its original street pattern.

Technology has moved on and a road network which used to be OK for carts and barrows now must cope with the needs of cyclists, pedestrians and hundreds of cars a day.

To be kind, it’s a hotch potch. To be honest, it can be pretty unsafe.

But now Brighton and Hove City Council is looking at starting a new chapter for The Lanes.

The two ideas are both based around the same concept – to restrict cars and other motorised vehicles.

But will either option produce a “more attractive destination” which is a “better environment for business”, as is promised?

Business support

Businesses in the area are generally supportive of the idea.

Sally Oakensold, of Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar in Middle Street, Brighton, said: “Traffic can sometimes be a problem in the area when it gets blocked up.

"I don’t see a problem with pedestrianising the area as long as we have an exception for deliveries.”

Jeremy Hoye, owner of Jeremy Hoye Jewellers in Ship Street, said: “It is the logical thing to do.

“It would not pose a problem for motorists because parking outside our store is difficult anyway – it is really expensive to park on the street and there is usually one of those big bins or a lorry in the way.”

A spokesman for Bagelman, which has a shop in Ship Street, said: “The Lanes gets business mostly from people browsing when they are walking around so making it more pedestrian-friendly would definitely help.”

But Bernadette Fitzsimonds, owner of Frames in Meeting House Lane, said: “It’s not a good idea at all. North Street is the main thoroughfare.

“Pedestrianising the other smaller lanes like Ship Street and Prince Albert Street wouldn’t make any difference.”

What is clear is there will be some changes in The Lanes.

Two options

The local authority is consulting on two options for the area between the seafront, North Street, West Street and Grand Parade.

One would restrict vehicles from accessing any of The Lanes unless they are residents, delivering to a business, parking for shopping, or an emergency service.

Which begs the question, what other purpose would anyone have to drive through The Lanes?

The second proposal would restrict all vehicles entering the area while pedestrianising Prince Albert Street between Black Lion Street and Ship Street.

The council added two-way cycling would be considered as part of both options.

However there are very valid questions about how it will be enforced. Would it be done by traffic wardens patrolling?

Monitoring cameras

Or would we see cameras scanning the area for any “rogue” number plates?

Steve Percy, of the People’s Parking Protest, is clear in his view. He said: “If the council is not prepared to put attendants in the area all day then cameras are the only way it could enforce restrictions.”

The benefits of limiting cars from accessing certain areas are already evident in some areas of the city.

New Road is now a hub year-round acting as a central meeting point for people at all hours, whether it’s a night at the theatre, a visit to the Royal Pavilion or a day around the shops.

North Laine, with dozens of independent traders and attracting tens of thousands of shoppers on a busy day, is another example.

Some of the roads are blocked off at certain busy times to allow people to casually stroll from Brighton station and Trafalgar Street through to North Street.

David Sewell, chairman of North Laine Traders’ Association where some restrictions on vehicles already exist, said: “When you do close a street off and shoppers walk into the road and not worry about safety it’s a benefit.

“We need to look at the wider picture of transport in the city of Brighton – with roadworks and other disruptions you only need a small delay somewhere narrow and it causes problems everywhere else.”

If agreed, the changes could start next January.

Council viiew

Conservative group leader Geoffrey Theobald said he would wait for the consultation results before making a final decision.

He added: “The last thing we need is to cause more problems for local businesses at a time when they are being hit by the Greens’ damaging parking charge hikes and so I hope that particular attention will be paid to their views and comments.”

Ian Davey, chairman of the council’s transport committee, said: “The Old Town is one of the oldest and most popular areas in the city and part of its appeal is the quirky, narrow streets which people love to wander around.

“We want to explore ways of improving the area for everyone to enjoy, while allowing essential users to still have access.

“We are responding to requests to make improvements here and we’ll be working with the community to find the best solution.”

For more details visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/oldtown or call 01273 290000.