Action taken over Brighton traffic queues (From The Argus)

So, just like we are promised for the Seven Dials, just monitoring the traffic will make it all OK.

And for my next trick...

Clowns

I thought the dual carriage way was put in to take traffic away from residential areas and possibly the schools in this area. We now have constant traffic outside coombe road school with children dodging around stationary cars, on Tuesday a vehicle decided they didn't want to wait and drive down coombe road on the wrong side past the school. I know the council can't be held responsible for idiot drivers but maybe this wouldn't happen if they hadn't messed up all the roads.

"It is hoped that the £6 million project will cut congestion and improve the Lewes Road area of Brighton".

Is the same unfounded idealistic hope that has led to the ruination of The Drive in Hove with cycle lanes that are seldom used?

Why can't the Green Party build this road in a factory and then lay it down it the middle of the night when I'm not using it?!! Every other council in the country would do it this way but not these loony left marxists!

Some of us are not willing to put up with some congestion in exchange for a better quality of life for others, thank you very much. If God intended us to cycle he would have given us wheels!

Oooh err wrote:
"It is hoped that the £6 million project will cut congestion and improve the Lewes Road area of Brighton".

Is the same unfounded idealistic hope that has led to the ruination of The Drive in Hove with cycle lanes that are seldom used?

Ruination of the Drive? Really?

80% of the width of that street is still for cars. Really sorry us tax-paying cyclists pinched 5% for ourselves so we can ride safely.

I never see any congestion on that road and have always wondered why the botherers are so bothered about it.

This is all about blocking cars coming into Brighton Just look at the delays with about 400 yards down to one lane Wait til the whole 3 miles from the Gyratory to Falmer is when this 'improvement' is finished.
No one wants this except the Greens and in particular Davey, Follett and Kitkat.
They consult on line making sure only their Bricycle supporters know I suggest everyone regularly check the council website for consultations and take a minute to vote and make their views known on what they are 'consulting' about. Currently the Elm Grove 'Improvement' all parking to be stopped on the pavements to misplace over 100 cars to surrounding roads FFS !
Vote now;
http://consult.brigh
ton-hove.gov.uk/port
al

How appropriate this should come after the article about Valley Gardens. If this work goes ahead we will have a similar report of even bigger chaos there, that is if Brighton has any visitors.

Fercri Sakes wrote:

Oooh err wrote:
"It is hoped that the £6 million project will cut congestion and improve the Lewes Road area of Brighton".

Is the same unfounded idealistic hope that has led to the ruination of The Drive in Hove with cycle lanes that are seldom used?

Ruination of the Drive? Really?

80% of the width of that street is still for cars. Really sorry us tax-paying cyclists pinched 5% for ourselves so we can ride safely.

I never see any congestion on that road and have always wondered why the botherers are so bothered about it.

Pedestrians and cyclists in conflict that's why!!!
Really dangerous and over a million wasted on it that's why....
Money that could be used better elsewhere
Same with the one and half million wasted on unenforceable blanket 20MPH when residents elsewhere are screaming for calming and crossings etc outside schools.
This shower is just anti car and will stop at nothing to get their lunatic policies through.

OK, so your gripe is that money was spent on it? I presume you were happy when they wanted to waste even more money putting back to how it was?

You have to realise that you are "pro-car". Most people are "car neutral". Pro-car people tend to shout the loudest because of their frustrations and, I find, a lack of understanding of the bigger long-term picture of car usage and the local environment.

So there's a bit of extra traffic at rush hour. Big whoop, who cares anyway. Get over yourselves drivers! Sit in your comfortable 4x4s, listen to your Paulo Nuttini album and shut up.

Fercri Sakes wrote:

Oooh err wrote:
"It is hoped that the £6 million project will cut congestion and improve the Lewes Road area of Brighton".

Is the same unfounded idealistic hope that has led to the ruination of The Drive in Hove with cycle lanes that are seldom used?

Ruination of the Drive? Really?

80% of the width of that street is still for cars. Really sorry us tax-paying cyclists pinched 5% for ourselves so we can ride safely.

I never see any congestion on that road and have always wondered why the botherers are so bothered about it.

Yes, the ruination of The Drive. Have the cycle lanes spoilt the appearance of The Drive? Yes. Have the cycle lanes improved safety? No, hence pouring more money to correct the obvious flaws in the initial design. Do the residents of The Drive like their new cycle lanes? Not according the ones I meet on a regular basis. Do cyclists like the cycle lanes? Many clearly do not which is why I have to drive round them, even on icy roads during the recent heavy snowfall.
I would again suggest that the cycle lanes have ruined one of Hove's finest roads.
That you cannot see why it bothers people is summed up in your own words "Really sorry us tax-paying cyclists pinched 5% for ourselves".

Oooh err wrote:

Fercri Sakes wrote:

Oooh err wrote:
"It is hoped that the £6 million project will cut congestion and improve the Lewes Road area of Brighton".

Is the same unfounded idealistic hope that has led to the ruination of The Drive in Hove with cycle lanes that are seldom used?

Ruination of the Drive? Really?

80% of the width of that street is still for cars. Really sorry us tax-paying cyclists pinched 5% for ourselves so we can ride safely.

I never see any congestion on that road and have always wondered why the botherers are so bothered about it.

Yes, the ruination of The Drive. Have the cycle lanes spoilt the appearance of The Drive? Yes. Have the cycle lanes improved safety? No, hence pouring more money to correct the obvious flaws in the initial design. Do the residents of The Drive like their new cycle lanes? Not according the ones I meet on a regular basis. Do cyclists like the cycle lanes? Many clearly do not which is why I have to drive round them, even on icy roads during the recent heavy snowfall.
I would again suggest that the cycle lanes have ruined one of Hove's finest roads.
That you cannot see why it bothers people is summed up in your own words "Really sorry us tax-paying cyclists pinched 5% for ourselves".

You say that the cycle lanes have spolit the appearance of The Drive? Wow you really DO love cars. Is that called autophilia?

You: Ohh, two lanes, ooohh so hot. Oooh, eight cars at once from this pavement to the next, so good. Hold on a minute! Stop that bike lane construction! Now I can only have six cars from this pavement to the the next. That is SO ugly. Oh my God, a cyclist has riden straight past me, I think I'm going to be sick!

Could ever have the viewpoint that cars have ruined the appearance of The Drive? Take a look at this photo that must be 100 years old. Just three cars on the whole street. http://tinyurl.com/b
d79mol

Now tell me that more cars have made this better looking.

Fercri Sakes wrote:

Oooh err wrote:

Fercri Sakes wrote:

Oooh err wrote:
"It is hoped that the £6 million project will cut congestion and improve the Lewes Road area of Brighton".

Is the same unfounded idealistic hope that has led to the ruination of The Drive in Hove with cycle lanes that are seldom used?

Ruination of the Drive? Really?

80% of the width of that street is still for cars. Really sorry us tax-paying cyclists pinched 5% for ourselves so we can ride safely.

I never see any congestion on that road and have always wondered why the botherers are so bothered about it.

Yes, the ruination of The Drive. Have the cycle lanes spoilt the appearance of The Drive? Yes. Have the cycle lanes improved safety? No, hence pouring more money to correct the obvious flaws in the initial design. Do the residents of The Drive like their new cycle lanes? Not according the ones I meet on a regular basis. Do cyclists like the cycle lanes? Many clearly do not which is why I have to drive round them, even on icy roads during the recent heavy snowfall.
I would again suggest that the cycle lanes have ruined one of Hove's finest roads.
That you cannot see why it bothers people is summed up in your own words "Really sorry us tax-paying cyclists pinched 5% for ourselves".

You say that the cycle lanes have spolit the appearance of The Drive? Wow you really DO love cars. Is that called autophilia?

You: Ohh, two lanes, ooohh so hot. Oooh, eight cars at once from this pavement to the next, so good. Hold on a minute! Stop that bike lane construction! Now I can only have six cars from this pavement to the the next. That is SO ugly. Oh my God, a cyclist has riden straight past me, I think I'm going to be sick!

Could ever have the viewpoint that cars have ruined the appearance of The Drive? Take a look at this photo that must be 100 years old. Just three cars on the whole street. http://tinyurl.com/b

d79mol

Now tell me that more cars have made this better looking.

Is that called autophilia? No, autophilia is a love of oneself, the sort of thing you are exhibiting in your post. Not that I would expect you to know that. I don`t love cars and I do love photos of The Drive et al without cars and recycling bins and all the other paraphernalia of modern life, that was not the point I was making. My point was that The Drive before the cycle lanes was better than it is after them. I never suggested cars make The Drive better. If you wish to have a debate please try, and I see you find this hard, to debate the points raised rather than pretending I have said things I clearly have not.
Also, do you have any stats for your other post about 'pro-car' and 'car-neutral'. More importantly did you accidently forget to mention that some people might also be anti-car?

A shrink would have a field day with some of the posts here!

Oooh err wrote:

Fercri Sakes wrote:

Oooh err wrote:

Fercri Sakes wrote:

Oooh err wrote:
"It is hoped that the £6 million project will cut congestion and improve the Lewes Road area of Brighton".

Is the same unfounded idealistic hope that has led to the ruination of The Drive in Hove with cycle lanes that are seldom used?

Ruination of the Drive? Really?

80% of the width of that street is still for cars. Really sorry us tax-paying cyclists pinched 5% for ourselves so we can ride safely.

I never see any congestion on that road and have always wondered why the botherers are so bothered about it.

Yes, the ruination of The Drive. Have the cycle lanes spoilt the appearance of The Drive? Yes. Have the cycle lanes improved safety? No, hence pouring more money to correct the obvious flaws in the initial design. Do the residents of The Drive like their new cycle lanes? Not according the ones I meet on a regular basis. Do cyclists like the cycle lanes? Many clearly do not which is why I have to drive round them, even on icy roads during the recent heavy snowfall.
I would again suggest that the cycle lanes have ruined one of Hove's finest roads.
That you cannot see why it bothers people is summed up in your own words "Really sorry us tax-paying cyclists pinched 5% for ourselves".

You say that the cycle lanes have spolit the appearance of The Drive? Wow you really DO love cars. Is that called autophilia?

You: Ohh, two lanes, ooohh so hot. Oooh, eight cars at once from this pavement to the next, so good. Hold on a minute! Stop that bike lane construction! Now I can only have six cars from this pavement to the the next. That is SO ugly. Oh my God, a cyclist has riden straight past me, I think I'm going to be sick!

Could ever have the viewpoint that cars have ruined the appearance of The Drive? Take a look at this photo that must be 100 years old. Just three cars on the whole street. http://tinyurl.com/b


d79mol

Now tell me that more cars have made this better looking.

Is that called autophilia? No, autophilia is a love of oneself, the sort of thing you are exhibiting in your post. Not that I would expect you to know that. I don`t love cars and I do love photos of The Drive et al without cars and recycling bins and all the other paraphernalia of modern life, that was not the point I was making. My point was that The Drive before the cycle lanes was better than it is after them. I never suggested cars make The Drive better. If you wish to have a debate please try, and I see you find this hard, to debate the points raised rather than pretending I have said things I clearly have not.
Also, do you have any stats for your other post about 'pro-car' and 'car-neutral'. More importantly did you accidently forget to mention that some people might also be anti-car?

Cycled up the Drive a few times, the cycle path seemed fine to me as long as those crossing in vehicles pay attention, looks ok, can't see what all the fuss is about and it is to the then Labour administration's credit that it was built.

The Green administration gets pilloried for spending modest sums of money on cycle lanes, but I seem to remember the last Conservative administration actually wanted to spend similar sums (£1000000+!) on removing the Drive cycle path. Unbelievable.

Jeez, it comes to something when the most sensible post on a story is by HJarrs!

He's correct though, people blaming 'The Greens' are wrong, this scheme would have gone ahead regardless of the party in power as both Labour (who did their fare share of 'improvements') and the Tories (instigators of the 20mph idea) have form when it comes to bad traffic schemes.

And WISH people would stop calling the Greens 'left wing'.

the council know these schemes cause extra congestion and pollution and say that people will use alternative transport, they are wrong what really happens is people just stop coming into the city. less income more cuts. wait for the summer when the newly installed 4 sets of traffic lights outside regency sq do their worst. they are already out of sync and in the summer will cause chaos. nobody mans the cctv until someone complains then they put down their tea and have a peek, probably laugh and have a long politically correct meeting about what to do, and before they know it its time to go home its 4 o clock. "intelligent" lights near me have not worked properly since installed in 2011. the aim is congestion charge and we are all sleepwalking into it.

Oooh err wrote:
"It is hoped that the £6 million project will cut congestion and improve the Lewes Road area of Brighton".

Is the same unfounded idealistic hope that has led to the ruination of The Drive in Hove with cycle lanes that are seldom used?

More invisible cyclists spotted!

upsidedowntuctuc wrote:
This is all about blocking cars coming into Brighton Just look at the delays with about 400 yards down to one lane Wait til the whole 3 miles from the Gyratory to Falmer is when this 'improvement' is finished. No one wants this except the Greens and in particular Davey, Follett and Kitkat. They consult on line making sure only their Bricycle supporters know I suggest everyone regularly check the council website for consultations and take a minute to vote and make their views known on what they are 'consulting' about. Currently the Elm Grove 'Improvement' all parking to be stopped on the pavements to misplace over 100 cars to surrounding roads FFS ! Vote now; http://consult.brigh ton-hove.gov.uk/port al

The green party has completely bastardised the City/Town (which ever you prefer).
their road improvements’ (!) are the cause of congestion and increased levels of pollution by closing off every road possible.

Example: Old Shoreham road, Junction with montifore (?) road is plain daft, when turning left you need to swing so far out your in the path of on coming, traffic. ten feet wide cycle lanes! yet no road markings, white lines are supposed to warn a driver of a hazard such as a junction etc, but nothing on the OSR.

I am not totally against cycle lanes, but they must be realistic and not impend the normal traffic flow, which is counter productive to all road users. Bus lanes are another; every other City has peak flow bus lanes working at peak times of the working day, not B&H 24hrs a day, plain daft! just like the greens.

The council has changed the phasing of the traffic lights on the Lewes Road/Coombe Road junction.
The light which allows traffic to exit Coombe Road onto the Lewes Road now stays red for a very long time, which creates the congestion from top to bottom. As the road is narrow and has speed chicanes along it, this has meant traffic struggles to get up the road including the buses which are now rendered useless. I am commuting into work in London this week and have given up trying to use public transport and as for cycling to the station, cyclists are using the pavements which was witnessed by the two men in the Green B&H wagon this morning.
Also vehicles entering Coombe Road are now hurtling down the parallel Ladysmith at top speed to reach the bottom of Coombe Road. You have to come and see it for yourself.
The council claim they have eased the issue, they haven't they have moved it onto residential roads.
This vanity project has wrecked our community and I also hold the three Labour councillors responsible for ignoring us since being elected.

@Maxwell's Ghost Sadly, that is only going to get worse when the right turn into Coombe Road is temporarily stopped and the re-route will be up Bear Road and through the side streets. I don't know how long that will be for or when it goes into operation, but I can see there being problems as a road like Riley Road won't be able to accommodate two way traffic (possibly if theres is a bus in the queue?)

I had to call a cab on Tuesday as the bus was stuck in traffic and I had a meeting in London.
The cab made a cut through Riley Road only to find another traffic jam as the refuse lorry was also jammed in traffic and trying to reverse all the way along the road.
It's utter chaos, but you can bet that not a single Green councillor has got off their backsides and come into our community to sort this out.
All they want to do is pretend that the Lewes Road is ok and sod the side roads and the 20mph residential zone.
We are not a Green voting ward so we have been ignored and all they care about is taking EU money, rolling out a project and sending self-congratulatory press releases to the pandering Environment media.
I suggest all of you affected write to your MP and I for one will be stopping my direct debit council tax payment and will not re-pay until the council protects our community from this traffic chaos.

Maxwell's Ghost wrote:
The council has changed the phasing of the traffic lights on the Lewes Road/Coombe Road junction.
The light which allows traffic to exit Coombe Road onto the Lewes Road now stays red for a very long time, which creates the congestion from top to bottom. As the road is narrow and has speed chicanes along it, this has meant traffic struggles to get up the road including the buses which are now rendered useless. I am commuting into work in London this week and have given up trying to use public transport and as for cycling to the station, cyclists are using the pavements which was witnessed by the two men in the Green B&H wagon this morning.
Also vehicles entering Coombe Road are now hurtling down the parallel Ladysmith at top speed to reach the bottom of Coombe Road. You have to come and see it for yourself.
The council claim they have eased the issue, they haven't they have moved it onto residential roads.
This vanity project has wrecked our community and I also hold the three Labour councillors responsible for ignoring us since being elected.

They can fiddle with the phasing of the lights to their hearts content, or even switch them off all together, it won't make much difference, since the fundamental problem is the 50% reduction in capacity in Lewes Road. The congestion that this has caused was predictable, and predicted by road users, but ignored by the council officials and the goons on the transport committee.

Maxwell's Ghost wrote:
I had to call a cab on Tuesday as the bus was stuck in traffic and I had a meeting in London.
The cab made a cut through Riley Road only to find another traffic jam as the refuse lorry was also jammed in traffic and trying to reverse all the way along the road.
It's utter chaos, but you can bet that not a single Green councillor has got off their backsides and come into our community to sort this out.
All they want to do is pretend that the Lewes Road is ok and sod the side roads and the 20mph residential zone.
We are not a Green voting ward so we have been ignored and all they care about is taking EU money, rolling out a project and sending self-congratulatory press releases to the pandering Environment media.
I suggest all of you affected write to your MP and I for one will be stopping my direct debit council tax payment and will not re-pay until the council protects our community from this traffic chaos.

Unfortunately, if your MP is a green, you may as well save your time and put your letter straight in your local communal recycling bin.

I still want to know exactly how this is going to stop congestion. I expect in the first summer of the bus lane being open, when the 25 is running a reduced service because the universities have broken up for the summer, the Green spin machine will post a photo of the utterly deserted bus lane (but with the camera angled so the long line of stationary traffic next to it can't be seen) and declare the scheme an unbridled success.

Green MP Caroline Lucas has the absolute gall to issue a press release today to express her anger at the delays on the rail system caused by a broken down train as Hassocks but dare not show her face in the Lewes Road or nearby communities. What a coward.
Well Caroline, I was affected by those delays, but actually, what is worse is the fact that your incompetent councillors ignored officers' reports and purposely ignored locals and went ahead with the Lewes Road scheme which is now causing the predicted mayhem in residential streets.
My journey (using my feet and trains) now takes me two hours and ten minutes one way from my front door to Victoria from almost the city centre because your scheme has rendered bus transport useless out on these estates.
My neighbour and I both work in London and tomorrow and into the near future we will be driving to Gatwick to park and will pick up the Gatwick Express into Victoria because you have made public transport so bloody awful on the estates. So actually, thats two more people onto the roads rather than one per cent off it.

Maxwell's Ghost wrote:
Green MP Caroline Lucas has the absolute gall to issue a press release today to express her anger at the delays on the rail system caused by a broken down train as Hassocks but dare not show her face in the Lewes Road or nearby communities. What a coward.
Well Caroline, I was affected by those delays, but actually, what is worse is the fact that your incompetent councillors ignored officers' reports and purposely ignored locals and went ahead with the Lewes Road scheme which is now causing the predicted mayhem in residential streets.
My journey (using my feet and trains) now takes me two hours and ten minutes one way from my front door to Victoria from almost the city centre because your scheme has rendered bus transport useless out on these estates.
My neighbour and I both work in London and tomorrow and into the near future we will be driving to Gatwick to park and will pick up the Gatwick Express into Victoria because you have made public transport so bloody awful on the estates. So actually, thats two more people onto the roads rather than one per cent off it.

You do realise the road work is still ongoing, don't you? And that when it's finished you'll be able to get to work quicker?

A lot of commentators here are acting like the road will be like this forever.