A PLAN to block a road through Barnstaple's pannier market has been condemned by restaurant owners.

North Devon Council, which owns the Victorian landmark, has asked Devon County Council, the local highways authority, to make a gating order, which would allow the section of Market Street which passes through the indoor market to be closed between 6pm and 6am.

The district council hoped to save money because of reduced repairs and security measures.

But Som Vhetwal, the owner of the Gurkha restaurant in Market Street, was concerned about the plan because much of his trade was after 6pm.

And Zena Burland, who owns the nearby Zena's, said the route was a "window" for her restaurant.

"I have lived in Barnstaple since 1955 and, as a child myself, along with many friends, played in the Pannier Market, just as the youngsters do today," she said.

"The market has been around for over 150 years and in that time it could have been burnt down by generations of so-called delinquents."

She said the market was an asset which must be used at night, perhaps for community events.

Meanwhile, Christopher Punt, a local solicitor, has written to the police, complaining the route has been unlawfully blocked.

Mr Punt said he had seen a bollard unlawfully obstructing the Butchers Row entrance early in the morning on numerous occasions.

In a letter to police this week, he wrote: "I am willing to provide a statement and attend court as a witness in any prosecution you bring."

At the moment, blocking the route is an offence under the 1980 Highways Act, although vehicular traffic is lawfully restricted between 10am and 6pm.

If the county council agreed to make a gating order, it would notify nearby property occupiers, other councils, the police, fire service, and local NHS trusts.

A district council report stated: "For many years, there has been a history of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage within the pannier market.

"This is principally resulting from a public highway running through the centre of the building."

The report stated that leaving the market open at night "exposed the possibility a serious event might occur, which could result in damage or even destruction of the building."

Council leader Des Brailey said an "enduring history of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in the evenings" made a gate the "only solution".

Town Councillor Rod Hawes said he would need to read the full application but he had initial concerns because the route was used as a thoroughfare in the evenings.

But Barnstaple Market Traders' Committee spokesman Peter Hames, from Northam, said Market Street was "not a bustling thoroughfare at night" and he believed the gating order would protect the market from "unpleasant and damaging behaviour".

The grade one listed pannier market, built in 1855, ran at a £144,000 loss in 2009/2010 compared to a £77,000 loss in 2008/2009.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: "North Devon Council has approached us requesting that a gating order be made. We have responded by asking that it demonstrates the need due to crime or anti social behaviour, supported by the Police, and we await further information from them. Evidence of consultation, letters of support and/or objection must be submitted before Devon County Council can consider advertising a gating order."

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