Traders have hit out at plans to extend the existing ban on vehicle access to Bradford city centre.

They claim the proposal would make it "physically impossible" for them to take deliveries.

The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) banning deliveries from city centre pedestrian zones currently runs from 10.30am to 4pm. But Bradford Council is proposing that restrictions should start at 9am and continue until 6pm.

The Council stressed that the proposal, part of a review of the central pedestrian zone, was only in its infancy.

But a document seen by the Telegraph & Argus said the aim of the review was to alter the TRO to "better restrict" vehicle access.

The aim is to boost the overall appearance and safety of the pedestrian zone, contributing to a "relaxed ambience" during the working day in streets such as Ivegate, Kirkgate, Albion Court, Bank Street, Hustlergate and Tyrrel Street.

Guy Barford, the Council's principal engineer, said: "This is not a public consultation. We have written to several organisations to seek their views on city-centre deliveries and await their responses before pursuing any scheme."

Traders say further restrictions on motor vehicles would create major logistical problems, while Bradford Chamber of Trade has warned of "far-reaching consequences," including a massive increase in running costs for traders forced to take deliveries outside normal opening hours.

Taz Iqbal, owner of The Shop and Firths, both in Ivegate, said: "It's a crazy plan. It's going to be unrealistic for me because we open at 9.30am and close at 5pm. It will be physically impossible for me to take deliveries. I'm going to have to come after hours and bring extra staff in to take deliveries."

Amin Patel, who runs the Essentials stall in Kirkgate market, said the proposal would make it "very difficult" to take deliveries. Roger Pilling, who runs Pet Palace on the next stall, said it was "another typical crazy idea" from the powers-that-be.

Paul Butterfield, co-owner of Probyns, in Tyrrel Street, said: "I can just about cope with the restrictions that are there now, but any more and that will become a big problem. It's bonkers."

Val Summerscales, secretary of the Chamber of Trade, said: "Our key members are not happy. Staff would have to stay late or come in early to take deliveries, which would add to costs. That burden could be passed on to consumers."

Catherine Riley, manager of the Kirkgate Centre, where traders currently enjoy 24-hour access to the centre's loading bay, said: "We share the concerns. We are talking in some detail with retailers so we can understand the potential economic effect on their businesses."

The review of the central pedestrian zone is part of ongoing public-realm improvements.

In a letter explaining the proposals, Clare Firth, the Council's senior traffic engineer for the city centre, said the existing TRO had failed due to enforcement issues and because it was "regularly abused".

She said accident data for the pedestrian zone showed only six accidents had occurred in five years, but five of those had taken place while the access restriction was in force - further evidence that the system was not operating properly.

The organisations that have been made aware of the proposal have until January 29 to give feedback to the Council.