The motion, proposed by Green councillor Amy Heley, would see Brighton follow York which pledged earlier this month to become car free by 2023. At the meeting yesterday she called for the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee to consider a car free report this October, including plans to introduce an intermediate Ultra Low Emission Zone for private vehicles.

Councillor Heley said: “European cities such as Amsterdam and Oslo have demonstrated that a car-free city centre can be beneficial for all. What’s more, limiting car use in city centres makes them safer, more accessible and more attractive to visit, and brings economic benefits as a result.”

One supporter of the car free plan is Brighton based business owner Arjo Ghosh. “There is clearly a strong argument to ban all fossil fueled polluting vehicles on public health grounds.

“I believe the first step to a car free city centre should be a move to zero emissions, fully electric vehicles.”

Brighton based charity Community Works’ transport representative Katy Rodda also welcomed the proposal to reduce private motor vehicles in the city. “Designs for private cars create accessibility and safety problems for everyone else,” she said.

Katy pointed out that one district near Brighton's centre already has good modal filters and the streets there are “noticeably more bustling and friendlier with people moving about, meandering and browsing”.

She added that cities that encourage active travel offer good mental and physical health for people.

Elsewhere, the city of Cardiff announced last week a £2Bn transport vision for the next 10 years which could see a £2 daily charge applied to vehicles driven into the centre by non residents. The vision also includes introducing bus rapid transit services, new park and ride sites and expanding the Metro to provide more tram and train routes across the region.

Cardiff City Council leader Huw Thomas said: “The future success of Cardiff hinges on getting transport right in the city. There can't be anyone who is happy with the current state of affairs which is why we are bringing forward this ambitious 10 year vision and why we are beginning an honest conversation about how it's paid for.”