Traders who blame an experimental road closure for loss of business are calling for it to be revoked.

Southend Council decided six months ago to close Chichester Road, between the junctions with York Road and Heygate Avenue, to ease traffic flow around the nearby bus station.

The council is now looking to make the temporary closure permanent.

But companies based in York Road claim fewer cars and fewer customers have been coming to the road since the closure.

They also say many drivers fed up with traffic queues are dangerously driving up the road in the wrong direction as a shortcut.

Michael Davis, who runs Singer Sewing Centre with his father, said the closure had made the area unsafe.

He said: "It makes parts of the town more congested.

"We've had a number of cars coming up the wrong direction. It used to be a rare occasion, but now you see it once a week. It's an accident waiting to happen."

Mr Davis said fewer people had been coming to York Road, making it more difficult for businesses to survive.

He said: "Before it was brought in, you would never see an empty bay. It was always busy throughout the road.

"My business hasn't really been affected because we are quite specialised. If people want us, they'll find us. But it has affected other businesses who do more general things."

Patrick Baker, who runs Gumbi Records in York Road Market, added: "The road is very empty compared to how it used to be. It's becoming a forgotten part of the town."

Mr Baker agree cars were frequently driving down York Road in the wrong direction.

He said: "People are ignoring the signals. At busy times there can be queues for the Royals. People see the queues and want to avoid them."

Southend Council said traders might have suffered a dip in business while the bus station was being built, but that everything should now be back to normal.

John Lamb, councillor responsible for business regeneration, claimed: "It is now better than it has been for a long time.

"The signage has been altered as it was misleading. If there are vehicles travelling in the wrong direction, we need to look at that."