Business owners in part of Leicester say they are worried about a decline in trade due to roadworks.
Up to 40 buses an hour are being diverted along Churchgate for 11 weeks because of nearby roadworks.
Shop and caf� owners said they had already seen a downturn in trade and were concerned the changes would mean increased noise and pollution.
Council spokesman Barry Pritchard has assured people there would be no danger from the increased bus traffic.
"On the positive side we are carrying out work to improve parking for disabled people and for loading.
"The number of buses will be about 40 an hour - which is less than one a minute - that isn't a vast number."