Drivers revved up over roadworks traffic jams (From The Argus)
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Drivers revved up over Lewes Road roadworks traffic jams
5:10pm Tuesday 29th January 2013 in News
Traffic is backed up causing lengthy delays during the rush hours along Lewes Road, Brighton
Revved-up residents are demanding action over roadworks which they claim are causing lengthy tailbacks and doubling journey times.
As the centrepiece of a £6 million project to cut congestion and improve the Lewes Road area of Brighton, work on creating a bus and cycle lane on the dual carriageway began in November.
With disruption set to last a year, locals are now calling for Brighton and Hove City Council to take immediate action to resolve some of the issues.
Moulsecoomb and Bevendean councillor Mo Marsh said: “Residents are furious about the delays.
“I am calling on the council to agree to set up some proper traffic management, such as lights and roundabouts, at the affected junctions.
“I would also like transport committee chairman Ian Davey to agree to the request which he originally refused to set up a regular group to monitor and review the progress of the scheme.”
Work on the road is taking place in phases.
It is currently focused on improving the Saunders Park View and Coombe Road junctions.
Avoiding queues
Incidents reported to The Argus in recent days include motorists mounting verges to avoid queues and racing down the vacant outside lane to force their way into waiting traffic.
One bus driver, who wished to remain anonymous, said passengers have opened the doors of double deckers to get off when they are stuck in tailbacks.
On Saturday, as Brighton and Hove Albion played Arsenal in the FA Cup at American Express Community Stadium, a number of fans reported missing the kick-off because the 25- minute journey took an hour.
Roger French, of Brighton and Hove Bus Company, said: “They are having quite significant impacts on the running of buses and we have been turning some services around at the Old Steine to get them back on time.
“We cannot avoid the delays but I hope the council is looking at ways they can do that themselves.
“Once the project is complete it will be marvellous as it will enable us to have buses avoiding the congestion.”
Some complaints
A council spokesman said the local authority had received some complaints but that most of these came last week during the period of wintry weather.
He added: “Lewes Road is a big scheme and it’s inevitable that there will be some disruption but we are working hard to keep this to an absolute minimum.
“We are monitoring the situation via the traffic control centre and changing signal timings where appropriate to ensure the traffic keeps flowing.
“The amount of space coned off is kept to an absolute minimum to allow the works to be undertaken safely.”
Anyone wanting information can call 01273 290487 or email lewes.road@brighton-hove.gov.uk.
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Comments(30)
mdj747
says...
5:42pm Tue 29 Jan 13
We are monitoring the situation via the traffic control centre and changing signal timings where appropriate to ensure the traffic keeps flowing.
So a huge queue is now in Coombe road ,often the whole length.
Problem solved or moved?
NickBtn
says...
5:56pm Tue 29 Jan 13
This road used to work. Now its "improvements" are delaying all. The council's traffic models are clearly wrong. They stated that there would not be any delays as the road was being used well below its capacity. However this isn't correct
Unfortunately unless these plans are changed the road will be like this forever as the "improvements" are to take the main carriageway from dual to single. Doing that causes queues along entire length day after day.
The only people who will benefit are the privately owned bus company. Their quote says it all: "Once the project is complete it will be marvelous as it will enable us to have buses avoiding the congestion"
Only catch is there was little congestion before the works to dedicate a bus lane
Yes works on Lewes Road were needed. The cycle lane needs to be improved and should be enforced along existing stretch. The gyratory too. All of this can be done without manufacturing congestion
Without a doubt traffic will divert from Lewes Road to others. I and other friends have already done this adding miles to journeys and going along much smaller residential roads. How does that help safety or pollution? This fact alone will allow it to be labelled a success by council spin doctors later as a reduction in traffic use on road. It doesn't reduce traffic, it diverts it - people still need to get to work etc and public transport isn't always possible
Plantpot
says...
6:00pm Tue 29 Jan 13
bug eye
says...
6:07pm Tue 29 Jan 13
jamesbandenburg
says...
6:11pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Which 'they claim' are causing tailbacks? Well, residents are claiming this because it's true. Also I find it a bit rich of Roger French complaining about the delays caused in the building of his nice new bus lane.
Personally I think we need a solution based on jeopardy, which is that that French, Kitcat, and frankly anyone else who thinks this is a good idea to be made to drive the length of Lewes Road to get to work every morning and get home every evening.
nosolution
says...
6:38pm Tue 29 Jan 13
http://www.bbc.co.uk
/blogs/ethicalman/20
09/11/why_cars_are_g
reener_than_buses.ht
ml
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
6:40pm Tue 29 Jan 13
There is a single lane of solid traffic bumper to bumper from Coombe Road up to The Avenue so every junction along this stretch will now need a set of lights/roundabout as Councillor Marsh suggests. Cyclists are now pushing the buttons on the pedestrian crossings and cycling across and then cycling on the pavements to get to make a right turn.
Also because the traffic is moving slowly, pedestrians are now just walking across the Lewes Road along the length and weaving between cars which is dangerous when there's a cycle lane on the inside.
The Coombe Road/Bear Road one-way system is appalling and is now like this every day.
This afternoon at 4pm it was queued from the top right to the bottom due to the single lane on the Lewes Road. It has never, ever, ever been like this unless there has been an accident or incident blocking a lane on the Lewes Road, so we can now expect this every day including when the scheme is complete - the roadworks issue is irrelevant. The Lewes Road is single lane and it will be for the whole stretch.
And the bloody buses can't reach the bloody bus lane on the Lewes Road to make our journeys better because of the congestion.
I'm commuting into London at the moment and the buses are sat in the traffic up on the estates unable to even get onto the Lewes Road.
I had to call a cab this morning because I waited and waited and the bus was stuck in traffic. It cost me £10 one way.
The same on the way home so in the end I jogged home in suit in the rain because I've given up hoping the buses will move.
This has actually made public transport more unreliable.
I did spot Katie Price stuck in Coombe Road in her pink Range Rover so at least the kiddies coming out of the schoole got to see a role model while breathing in the filthy fumes.
I don't suppose Davey, Randall or Kitkat have even had the courtesty to take a walk around the Lewes Road and the estates to see it for themselves because they think we are liars, but then these are the people who witheld a council report which said this would happen. I feel a people's protest coming on.
668 The neighbour of the beast
says...
7:13pm Tue 29 Jan 13
The plan is working. With up to an additional 5 people planning to give up their cars and cycle, over the next 18 months, the future of the city will be secure. These delays will soon be forgotten when there are no longer any shops or businesses to get to anyway.
I know I was born here, but is there any way I could be deported?
On_the_Level
says...
7:26pm Tue 29 Jan 13
keswick
says...
7:33pm Tue 29 Jan 13
NickBtn
says...
7:39pm Tue 29 Jan 13
I suspect the bus company will get even less happy as the students abandon the stationary buses during the year of roadworks for the train.... At least they have an option unlike those of us needing to travel further afield
Cyril Bolleaux
says...
7:46pm Tue 29 Jan 13
SGK2000
says...
8:20pm Tue 29 Jan 13
Also, on Saturday and to add insult to injury, the workmen were laying a nice new road surface over where they have removed the central islands. Yet try and get some much needed work to potholes on existing roads....
HJarrs
says...
8:51pm Tue 29 Jan 13
In a years time when the project is complete people will have adjusted, some will adopt the cycle route, some will go by alternative routes, some will continue to drive, others will take advantage of improved public transport a very few will no longer come to B&H, put off by the construction phase. I don't expect car traffic to be any more congested when the project is complete than today and it is a big boost to encourage cycling. Ok I accept that many of you are too old / stuck in your ways to change, but we should be encouraging kids to cycle by providing safe routes before they get car dependancy.
The city of Groningen in the Netherlands is an example of a car choked city like B&H that gradually changed for the better as cyclists were given the opportunity to safely share the road and what a pleasant place it is. I am sure there was the same wailing and gnashing of teeth as here.
NickBtn
says...
9:47pm Tue 29 Jan 13
HJarrs wrote:The council estimates that just 10% of the car drivers will stop using this route once the work is done. This is based on similar schemes elsewhere (from an email sent to me in April last year). That's still long queues in this single lane for ever (or until the work is reversed)
Of course there will be jams. How can there not be when the road is reduced down to one lane during construction and few have taken heed of the forthcoming work? This is a period of painful adjustment for some. It is a shame, but that is they way it is with major infrastructure projects, they tend to be disruptive.
In a years time when the project is complete people will have adjusted, some will adopt the cycle route, some will go by alternative routes, some will continue to drive, others will take advantage of improved public transport a very few will no longer come to B&H, put off by the construction phase. I don't expect car traffic to be any more congested when the project is complete than today and it is a big boost to encourage cycling. Ok I accept that many of you are too old / stuck in your ways to change, but we should be encouraging kids to cycle by providing safe routes before they get car dependancy.
The city of Groningen in the Netherlands is an example of a car choked city like B&H that gradually changed for the better as cyclists were given the opportunity to safely share the road and what a pleasant place it is. I am sure there was the same wailing and gnashing of teeth as here.
Lots of traffic won't be able to change routes - including all the recycling lorries
This has poorly designed and planned. Cycle improvements could have been made whilst retaining the dual carriageway for all. There's lots of space available. That way there would have been less pollution for all - including cyclists going past queues of lorries, vans and cars.
Real opportunity missed. Why can't the greens be pro bike rather than anti car? It is possible to keep tempt people away with a carrot rather than beat people with sticks....
R W M
says...
9:56pm Tue 29 Jan 13
HJarrs wrote:Only this sort of comment would come from a cyclist,
Of course there will be jams. How can there not be when the road is reduced down to one lane during construction and few have taken heed of the forthcoming work? This is a period of painful adjustment for some. It is a shame, but that is they way it is with major infrastructure projects, they tend to be disruptive.
In a years time when the project is complete people will have adjusted, some will adopt the cycle route, some will go by alternative routes, some will continue to drive, others will take advantage of improved public transport a very few will no longer come to B&H, put off by the construction phase. I don't expect car traffic to be any more congested when the project is complete than today and it is a big boost to encourage cycling. Ok I accept that many of you are too old / stuck in your ways to change, but we should be encouraging kids to cycle by providing safe routes before they get car dependancy.
The city of Groningen in the Netherlands is an example of a car choked city like B&H that gradually changed for the better as cyclists were given the opportunity to safely share the road and what a pleasant place it is. I am sure there was the same wailing and gnashing of teeth as here.
Of course the jams will still be there in years to come.
They should of left the traffic lights there as it was in the first place the system worked fine then, ok there are more cars about now.
But slowing them down only brings congestion and more pollution as the modern car is built to be GREEN
The local authorities are killing this place I HAVE lived here all my life and seen the changes, which is not for the better.
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
11:18pm Tue 29 Jan 13
The roadworks are a line of cones which have closed one lane of the Lewes Road (in small sections at the moment).
This single coned off lane replicates the road as it will be once the work is complete the only difference being that the whole length will be one lane not just sections. There are no temporary lights or any other roadworks works, just sections of the dual carriageway closed down to one lane.That is why people are jumping up and down because this is how it will be when complete.
Take note of Cllr Mo Marsh's comments stating that every junction now requires lights or a roundabout as it is impossible for any right turns to be made.
The buses can travel along the Lewes Road but they cannot turn right across the solid lane of traffic into The Avenue. Also the buses wont be able to even reach the new lane because the traffic is now backed up behind the gyratory.
And as I have repeatedly said, Coombe Road is now jammed from top to bottom because vehicles would usually head down Coombe and turn left or right at the bottom onto Lewes Road and spread across two lanes.
Now they head down and turn right or left into one lane with all vehicles stuck in one lane including buses and cyclists.
I now sit behind the bloody traffic unless I cycle down the pavement as a young man was doing yesterday or do what the cars are doing, which is rat-running through the side streets to reach the bottom of the hill by any means to try and pop out at the bottom of Coombe Road at Ewhurst Road.
Our community is now a main road with lorries and vans hurtling down the once quiet residential streets with few sticking to the 20mph and many are doing U turns and bumping up kerbs to get around other cars.
I planned to get the bus from Coombe Road down to St Peters Church to go to the railway station this morning.
The bus was sat behind the traffic not moving so I had to call a cab to rescue me because at least the cab could use a rat run.
The buses only benefit once they reach the Lewes Road bus lane but thats pointless if its jammed them behind the gyratory.
By the way HJarrs, I jogged home tonight from the station along the Lewes Road from Elm Grove as the buses out here are now so unreliable and despite the cycle lane having double yellows along it, there were 8 cars parked which happens every single day so don't give me **** that this council wants to create sustainable transport.
This Lewes Road project is about PR and ego and spending a budget because it was there but it will take a stronger and greater man than Jason Kitkat to admit a grave error.
The council should bite the bullet, allow two lanes of traffic and drop a raised kerb all the way along the cycle route to stop traffic entering it and to stop cars parking.
Cheaper, keeps traffic moving and ensures we are all sharing the space and that pollution and congestion are kept to a minimum.
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
11:32pm Tue 29 Jan 13
The electorate are waiting for a saviour so why not seize the moment. Go on get Gill Mitchell moving.
Fercri Sakes
says...
12:11am Wed 30 Jan 13
I haven't noticed any more delays than usual on The Drive, A23 and Old Shoreham Rd so hopefully once the scheme's in place it'll be business as usual for car drivers and an improvement for bus users and cyclists. Maybe everybody should wait and see before making judgements.
Mr Sworld
says...
4:00am Wed 30 Jan 13
It still only takes me 15 to 20 minutes to make the journey. :-)
Haters are going to hate...
HJarrs
says...
8:01am Wed 30 Jan 13
nosolution wrote:The point of the article was that if several people are in a car, this can be more efficient than public transport, which is commonsense. I bet most cars are single occupancy and buses in B&H well used. B&H buses are also introducing hybrids and the Argus could do us all a service by reporting how they are getting on.
It's been said before and i'll say it again.Passenger for passenger cars are greener than buses...
http://www.bbc.co.uk
/blogs/ethicalman/20
09/11/why_cars_are_g
reener_than_buses.ht
ml
HJarrs
says...
8:12am Wed 30 Jan 13
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:That's because they have no policies and few active members. The Labour Party are opportunist, you don't vote for them, you vote against someone else.
Councillor Mo Marsh. The Labour group have been invisible since election. Now is your chance to seize support across the city because there is one single issue which unites the reisdents and that is the utter frustration with the parking and roads issues which are atrocious. They are not working for cyclists or the buses let alone motorists.
The electorate are waiting for a saviour so why not seize the moment. Go on get Gill Mitchell moving.
When I hear Green voters moaning it is usually because they are not going far enough.
HJarrs
says...
8:12am Wed 30 Jan 13
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:That's because they have no policies and few active members. The Labour Party are opportunist, you don't vote for them, you vote against someone else.
Councillor Mo Marsh. The Labour group have been invisible since election. Now is your chance to seize support across the city because there is one single issue which unites the reisdents and that is the utter frustration with the parking and roads issues which are atrocious. They are not working for cyclists or the buses let alone motorists.
The electorate are waiting for a saviour so why not seize the moment. Go on get Gill Mitchell moving.
When I hear Green voters moaning it is usually because they are not going far enough.
salty_pete
says...
9:39am Wed 30 Jan 13
Hoarder12345444
says...
10:28am Wed 30 Jan 13
Bob_The_Ferret
says...
1:22pm Wed 30 Jan 13
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
says...
2:57pm Wed 30 Jan 13
HJarrs wrote:The Netherlands is flat. Bikes and Brighton are not natural bedfellows.
Of course there will be jams. How can there not be when the road is reduced down to one lane during construction and few have taken heed of the forthcoming work? This is a period of painful adjustment for some. It is a shame, but that is they way it is with major infrastructure projects, they tend to be disruptive.
In a years time when the project is complete people will have adjusted, some will adopt the cycle route, some will go by alternative routes, some will continue to drive, others will take advantage of improved public transport a very few will no longer come to B&H, put off by the construction phase. I don't expect car traffic to be any more congested when the project is complete than today and it is a big boost to encourage cycling. Ok I accept that many of you are too old / stuck in your ways to change, but we should be encouraging kids to cycle by providing safe routes before they get car dependancy.
The city of Groningen in the Netherlands is an example of a car choked city like B&H that gradually changed for the better as cyclists were given the opportunity to safely share the road and what a pleasant place it is. I am sure there was the same wailing and gnashing of teeth as here.
Will be interesting to see what happens when it's all complete.
NickBrt
says...
4:22pm Wed 30 Jan 13
badenroad
says...
5:24pm Wed 30 Jan 13
nocando says...
5:26pm Tue 29 Jan 13