business.

That is the view of people running the shops and restaurants on Water Street.

And to ruin the experiment, drivers are removing barriers and continuing to use the street in their cars.

Some are even driving along Water Street the wrong way, in obvious violation of road signs and markings.

The 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. closure has been in force since before December in an attempt to pedestrianise the street.

But pedestrians this week, including many visitors, had to run the gauntlet of cars still using the street.

Mrs. Susan Duncan, at East End Florists, said: "The road is supposed to be closed which has proved a problem to this business because it means our deliveries have to be made down the steps next to the shop.

"Large quantities of flowers have to be carried from wherever the delivery man can park his van.

"At the same time a lot of people are taking no notice of the ban and are driving their cars on the street. They just move the barriers and drive along, often the wrong way.'' Mrs. Duncan's views were backed by other businessmen who said that the fact that people had to park a long way from the area meant they were unwilling to shop there.

Another problem faces businesses who have car parks in Water Street. Their employees are unable to move their vehicles after 10 a.m. and before 4 p.m.

No-one at the Corporation of St. Georges's was available for comment.

WRONG WAY -- This motorist is not only going the wrong way along Water Street, she is driving on the street when it it is closed to traffic between 10 a.m.

and 4 p.m.