Local authorities in London on Wednesday defended plans to build arches described by critics as “hijab gates” at the ends of London’s famed multi-cultural Brick Lane.

Tower Hamlets council, which is due to consider the plans this week, says the arches will boost the economy and celebrate diversity in the area — famous for its curry houses, art venues and bars.

The planned steel arches, which critics say resemble an Islamic headscarf, have been condemned by some locals as misrepresenting Islam and by others as emphasising Islam too much over other religions.

Tower Hamlets is one of five London boroughs hosting the 2012 Olympics.

The arches are part of a two million pound plan for a cultural trail into Brick Lane through Spitalfields market, with information boards highlighting the area’s diversity.

Councillor Lutfur Rahman rejected the criticism, saying: “It is not, and has never been, our intention to reflect the symbols of any one culture or faith over another in this project.”

“The improvements being made on and around the Cultural Trail will benefit everyone in the area,” he added.

Local textile shop owner Leo Epstein said they were a waste of tax payers’ money: “Where does the council find money to put something up which nobody in particular here wants?

“Suddenly, they’ve got a couple of million pounds to spend on hijab gates, which is nonsense. This has always been a mixed tolerant area, I’m Jewish and most of the Bangladeshis I’ve spoken to are also against it.”

Brick Lane has attracted migrants for hundreds of years including Jews, Huguenots and, more recently, Bangladeshis.

A 29-metre high steel minaret next to the Brick Lane Mosque marks the centre of the trail. The listed building was built in 1742 as a Huguenot church, then was converted into a synagogue and is now a mosque.

The Huguenots were French Calvinists who were persecuted for their faith and emigrated in large numbers in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The 2007 movie “Brick Lane,” based on a 2003 novel by author Monica Ali which drew criticism for its alleged negative portrayal of the area.

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