Furious traders in Shipley have raised a 2,000 name petition opposing "ludicrous plans" to remove all buses from the market square.

A proposal in the Airedale Masterplan to relocate the bus station to a site on Otley Road, nearer the railway station, is regarded as disastrous by traders.

Regeneration chiefs from Bradford Council held a consultation meeting in Shipley Library yesterday where they were told by protesters that the plan would be the final nail in the coffin for the town centre.

John Fisher, of Shipley Market Action Campaign, said: "At the moment, people can hop off the bus and have easy access to the centre, but these proposals would deter shoppers from coming to Shipley.

"Removing the buses from the town centre would damage retail outlets and be a disaster for business."

He added: "You only have to look at the 2,000 names on the petition to see how angry people are."

Consultants Arup, who drew up the Masterplan, say buses dominate the eastern end of the market square and need to be removed to provide a more enjoyable open space.

Moving the buses closer to the railway station would help to create a high-quality transport interchange, according to Arup.

But Naomi Barsi, owner of Heaven Scent Cafe, said: "The town centre needs tarting up a bit, but these ludicrous plans will completely kill it off.

"Easy access to the town centre by bus is one of Shipley's few redeeming features and that should not be changed."

The petition, started by the Indoor Market traders, has been on display in shops and cafes for the last month.

Traders are also opposed to plans to remove the fixed stalls from the market place. Arup says the stalls restrict the area's use as a flexible and multifunctional space.

But the Shipley Market Action group says the plan would further disrupt the open market, which it claims is one of the town's best assets.

Andy Taylor, regeneration manager for the Airedale Partnership, said: "Nothing is set in stone at the moment. We are only at the consultation stage."

Many people who voiced opinions at yesterday's meeting said they feared their concerns would not be taken into account when the final plans were drawn up.