Suzanne Selly, postmistress at Heavitree Post Office, said plans for a 12-hour bus lane would have forced the closure of her business.

She said: “I wouldn’t have been able to trade. I have a lot of couriers who have to do drop-offs and pick-ups throughout the day and there’s no back entrance.”

Campaigners who supported the plan for a 12-hour bus lane have said they are disappointed by the change to the proposals.

Lorna Devenish said the initial plans were needed “to have a real impact on bus journey times, reliability and to encourage people to switch from cars to buses”.

She said, “Why would you take a bus if it’s stuck in the same traffic as the cars?”

The restrictions currently in place at Fore Street only limit loading Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The committee will meet on Tuesday to make a final decision on the plans.