GATES set to bar rough sleepers from Oxford’s Covered Market have been criticised by a city centre councillor.

The measure was proposed by Oxford City Council and would cut off entrances to the market from High Street to prevent homeless people entering.

The local authority made the suggestion after traders raised concerns about people leaving rubbish and being aggressive.

But Ruthi Brandt, city councillor for Carfax, compared the measure to “anti-homeless spikes” put in place outside flats in Southwark, London, that caused a public outcry.

She said: “I understand there have been some problems with rough sleepers who use these areas, but the automatic reaction of just shutting them out is not a good one.

“The sentiment behind it says we don’t want to deal with it and these people should just go somewhere else.

“We also have so few covered public spaces in Oxford and shutting these ones off to everyone seems to be an extreme measure.

“The city council does some very good work to help the homeless and this move will only negate some of that.”

The city council said it had received complaints from traders in the Covered Market about rough sleepers who were leaving mess in the entrances.

And city executive board member Dee Sinclair said police were required to remove some people in the mornings due to “aggressive behaviour”.

Ms Sinclair, board member for crime and community response, added: “Regular use of the Covered Market by rough sleepers has led to significant concerns.

“They leave rubbish and mess behind associated with substance abuse, including needles.

"This is unacceptable to the public and market traders and their staff, and also for council staff who often have to deal with the rough sleepers and clear up each morning.

“The Covered Market is a retail centre and an important element of the city centre economy.

“The council has committed to improve and strengthen the Covered Market, and in response to the market traders has agreed to fund the new gates.”

She said the council had in place a £1 million programme for homeless people which helped fund hostels and specialist organisations such as Crisis to provide advice, help and support.

The issue of rough sleepers at the Covered Market has long been a complaint of traders.

In 2008 a 3,500-signature petition was presented to the city council calling for more financial support for its shopkeepers. Traders have complained about a lack of investment by the local authority in the market, despite an increase in rents in recent years.

Vicki Alder, of Macsamillion shoe shop, said rough sleepers used the High Street entrances to the market on “most mornings”.

She said: “There can be problems sometimes when they are asked to move on, so it probably would be better if they put gates in place.

She added: "It would mean there was less mess and clutter left behind.

"They do need to do something.”