ONE of Worcester's best-known Tories has revealed his fury over banning cars from Lowesmoor - calling it "anti-business" and claiming it could "put shop owners on the dole".

Councillor Derek Prodger, a former city mayor and cabinet member for transport at Worcestershire County Council, has described the move as "staggering".

The long-serving Conservative says he can't understand why members of his own party have been keen to back the measure.

His stance has been rejected by the current Tory leadership at County Hall, which says the matter has caused internal friction.

As your Worcester News revealed last week from Sunday, January 11 the council will start enforcing a long-standing traffic order stopping cars from accessing Lowesmoor as a cut-through.

It limits access to just emergency services, cyclists and buses throughout the day westbound into the city, and between 3.30pm and 6.30pm eastbound.

Cllr Prodger, who was the Conservative's cabinet member for transport and the environment until 2011, said: "This debate first took place a few years ago and at the time I was completely against it.

"How can a Conservative administration be looking to do something which could threaten 30 private businesses in that historical, traditional street?

"It's a part of Worcester I have always stuck up for and I am staggered by this decision.

"Why are you clobbering this street? You could put shop owners on the dole, I am so disappointed.

"I wonder if the people making the decision know the street.

"They say it's because of pollution, but we had this argument a few years ago and I thought I'd won.

"Cars are manufactured to a much higher standard these days so I can't believe the argument over pollution is being rehearsed.

"Conservatives should be standing up for small businesses - we all know traffic through Lowesmoor can be a little slow, but I don't mind that if we've got thriving trade."

But the council's administration insists it is high time the vehicles were controlled in the street to aid pollution.

Traffic officers at County Hall say although clearly signposted for more than a decade, many drivers ignore the order, leading to worsening air quality.

Lowesmoor's nitrogen dioxide levels are currently above defined limits set nationally.

Councillor John Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: "As I've said before, in an ideal world such measures might not be needed but unfortunately they are not being adhered to.

"There's a real problem with air pollution caused by emissions from vehicles that the authority has a legal obligation to address.

"Last year we completed a £2 million project to improve the area, making it more attractive to shoppers, pedestrians and cyclists.

"Contrary to what is being claimed, during our discussions with traders it came through this approach was very much welcomed given lack of parking provision, because of the long-existing traffic regulation order and better access to the nearby St Martin's Gate Car Park.

"That has been borne out by the fact that we're being told that footfall has increased since the scheme was finished, which is obviously very pleasing as the objective was make it a more appealing place to do business.

"For these reasons I can't agree with any suggestion that we are not 100 per cent behind our 'open for business' priority."