Brighton's Valley Gardens gateway plan (From The Argus)
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Brighton's Valley Gardens gateway plan
12:40pm Friday 1st February 2013 in News By Ben James
An artist's impression of how Grand Parade will look if the changes are approved
Plans for the radical transformation of the city’s main gateway have been revealed.
The proposed traffic masterplan for Valley Gardens – which stretches from The Level to Palace Pier – has been put out for public consultation by Brighton and Hove City Council.
The new layout would see cars restricted to the east side (Kemp Town side) of Valley Gardens with a dedicated bus and taxi lane to the west (Hove side).
Proposals will also see a vast pedestrianised zone on the west side modelled on Edinburgh’s famous Grassmarket.
Planning experts, who are showcasing the designs this week, have said that the intention is to make the area an attractive meeting space for residents and visitors while at the same time improving the traffic flow.
However the council last night refused to reveal how much it would cost taxpayers.
They are now appealing to residents to have their say before the proposals go before the transport committee in March.
The council carried out a consultation in April last year to gauge opinion towards the Valley Gardens area.
Over 80% of people said that they wanted to spend more time in the area while just 1% said they thought it was fine as it was.
Simpler road layout
In particular residents said that a simpler road layout was needed.
Jim Mayor, one of the scheme’s project managers, explained that the reason the area was so muddled and confusing was down to the sporadic nature of improvements over the years.
By simplifying the layout, they expect to reduce the amount of space dedicated to traffic by 25%.
The east side will see four lanes (two going north and two south) from the Level to the Palace Pier.
As a result the extra lanes will eat into the gardens with an estimated 7.6% loss of green space.
Elm trees
Additionally the existing elm trees will be incorporated into the central reservation although a few are expected to be cut down.
The west side will see two lanes dedicated to buses along with a cycle lane.
There will be three main bus interchanges along the route at St Peter’s Church, Marlborough Place and the Royal Pavilion.
The council confirmed that the newly agreed 20mph limit will apply along the length of the new network.
Pedestrian friendly
One of the key objectives of the project is to make the area an “attractive, flexible, safe space” for people to meet and spend time in.
Developers hope to achieve this by making the west side of the gardens a pedestrian friendly walkway. The project’s headline feature is set to be a huge pedestrianised walkway modelled on Edinburgh’s Grassmarket.
That space, which was once a public gallows, has been transformed into one of the Scottish capital’s most popular outdoor event spaces.
Running along the Old Steine between North Road and Church Street, council planners hope that the space can be used for Festival, Fringe and other community events.
Julian Caddy, director of Brighton Fringe, said: “From an events point of view I think it is very positive.
“However I think they can go even further.
“They could make that whole area more like Trafalgar Square, which used to be incredibly busy.
“It is the grand gateway to the city and has so much potential.
“It just needs a bit of love and attention.
“However, as ever with these proposals, the question is where is the money going to come from?”
Attractive area
Despite the reduction in green space down the middle of the road, planners also hope to make it a more attractive area for residents and visitors to spend time.
Along with zigzagging pathways and water fountains in front of St Peter’s, there are plans to have wild grass land and special plants which absorb pollution from the road.
Mr Mayor added that the plans were still just a “concept” and by no means “set in stone”.
Stephen Owen, from Graves Son and Pilcher on the Old Steine, contacted The Argus after information on the scheme was dropped through his door.
Motorists concern
He said: “It’s unbelievable, yet again motorists are being pushed out.
“The main lifeblood of this city is tourism and if people can’t get here then they won’t bother. It looks like this scheme is going to make it harder to get to the seafront.
“If visitors from London are having to queue from Pycombe to get here, then they won’t bother.
“Anyway, I thought we had a council with no money?”
Steve Percy, from the People’s Parking Protest group, added: “I can envisage so many problems with the proposals.
London Road trade
“Yet again this whole project is at the expense of the motorist.
“I also feel sorry for the traders on London Road. The single side of traffic will direct cars towards Lewes Road and while it won’t be impossible to get to London Road, it will be a lot harder.
“The council spends all this money on these fancy schemes – but where is the money coming from?
“They are either going to have to increase rates or spend money they don’t have.”
What happens next?
The council is appealing for the public to have their say before the plans go to the transport committee in March.
They then hope to start work “later in 2013” following a successful grant application from the Better Bus Areas scheme.
Council bosses claim further funding is in place but refused to reveal to The Argus last night what the cost to the taxpayer would be.
Additionally they were unable to estimate when the work may be complete.
To view the proposals in detail visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1261094.
Responses should be sent to Valley Gardens feedback, Brighton & Hove City Council, Room 404, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 3LS.
Additionally you can call (01273) 293858 or email valleygardens@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Your views
Georgiana Negrisanu, 22, Brighton, said: "I think the pedestrianised zone sounds really cool. It’s not really warm enough at the moment but come the summer I’m sure it will be very popular."
Michael Ernst, 24, Hove, said: "I’ve lived here all my life and I don’t think it is too much of an issue to be honest. However, I think they could get rid of the obsolete cycle lane, nobody ever uses it."
George Brooker, 77, Coldean, said: “I don’t trust this Green council with anything. They are forcing the motorist out. If you drive a car you are paying your road tax so should have a say on what your money is being spent on. They just don’t want to listen.”
Cara Mair, 47, Preston Circus, said: “Well from what I can see it looks good – I’m pleased they have included a cycle path. However, parking is still going to be the big concern, If they want people to walk down to the seafront they will need to sort out the parking situation.”
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Comments(59)
brightonian57
says...
1:10pm Fri 1 Feb 13
n it's done, they will be able to admire it from their cars, while they are stuck in the grid lock this is going to cause.
Or they will be able to avoid it completely, and take their money to other resorts that will welcome them with cheap parking and sensibly designed road systems
Brighton Living
says...
1:10pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Millions more visitingto Brighton but the roads are still accommodating for the 80’s.
To be green you need to have traffic flowing not at a standstill with the engines running…..
Sort the roads and traffic lights Green party as you’re not being very GREEN.
Bob_The_Ferret
says...
1:12pm Fri 1 Feb 13
upsidedowntuctuc
says...
1:15pm Fri 1 Feb 13
They wont say because they do not know and have not got a clue.
I would love to update my house and gardens maybe a conservatory a water feature some decking a block paved drive New windows a green house and Gazebo
Unfortunately there's a recession on and I cannot afford to it and pay the mortgage Simple.
These will spend cash on their stupid plans without a clue where it is coming from Future councils (us the Tax payer) will be picking the tab up for years after this shower a dim memory...
Please lets all take the trouble to read these plans in detail and actually vote or comment or object or approve for once Not that it'll matter Davey will simply press ahead no matter what....
teaboy
says...
1:28pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Chaffinch1
says...
1:31pm Fri 1 Feb 13
With four lanes for cars and separate bus, taxi and bike provision, I don't think it will create more congestion and I'm sure the smack heads and street drinkers will really enjoy the newly landscaped green spaces too.
jyan
says...
1:31pm Fri 1 Feb 13
NickBtn
says...
1:33pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Brightonlad86
says...
1:33pm Fri 1 Feb 13
What a waste of time!!!
Lynne Hazelden
says...
1:33pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Bob_The_Ferret
says...
1:51pm Fri 1 Feb 13
charlie smirke
says...
1:56pm Fri 1 Feb 13
BUT, we surely cannot afford this?? not at the moment anyway. I am very concerned that the Greens are going to bankrupt Brighton with alll their fancy and expensive schemes.
HJarrs
says...
2:08pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Lynne Hazelden wrote:I am sure they all can apply to the govenrment's Better Bus Areas scheme for funding, which seems to be the source of the majority of funding.
Surely money is needed for people based support vs this kind of plan? Hospital, carers, schools sports progammes as no money for teachers i heard of, elderly homes, nurses health support and services for those neding help... Just saying... Not just here but concils every where need to put such big plans not criticle asside?
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
says...
2:24pm Fri 1 Feb 13
1 - It's NOT a 'Gateway'! A gateway is at the entrance! Jeez, how many more times?
2 - Do not even THINK of cutting down any of the healthy mature Elm trees, they are virtually unique in Britain.
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
says...
2:25pm Fri 1 Feb 13
668 The neighbour of the beast
says...
2:26pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Dr. Emmett Lathrop "Doc" Brown, Ph.D., the fictional character in the Back to the Future trilogy was quoted as saying "The whole 'back to the future thing' was just a story. Jeez Guys: how the hell did you manage to take the whole of Brighton back to 1973 whilst increasing pollution levels amidst some ludicrous bicycle-fetish? and more importantly, why on earth would you do this? You already had Hastings...why did you need another one?" "Where are the visitors and shops?" "I thought I was crazy..."
When informed about the Green Party, Doc Brown was believed to have mumbled "Cripes, I knew we shouldn't have made up the stuff about cars running on garbage - some kids just don't grow up".
He then appeared to accelerate away at speeds of almost 20mph saying he would try and "sort things out with Stalin".
Crystal Ball
says...
2:31pm Fri 1 Feb 13
668 The neighbour of the beast wrote:1.21 gigawatts?! Where am I going to get that sort of power?
Surprised nobody noticed the DeLorean in the picture. It appears to be attempting to leave Brighton in a hurry.
Dr. Emmett Lathrop "Doc" Brown, Ph.D., the fictional character in the Back to the Future trilogy was quoted as saying "The whole 'back to the future thing' was just a story. Jeez Guys: how the hell did you manage to take the whole of Brighton back to 1973 whilst increasing pollution levels amidst some ludicrous bicycle-fetish? and more importantly, why on earth would you do this? You already had Hastings...why did you need another one?" "Where are the visitors and shops?" "I thought I was crazy..."
When informed about the Green Party, Doc Brown was believed to have mumbled "Cripes, I knew we shouldn't have made up the stuff about cars running on garbage - some kids just don't grow up".
He then appeared to accelerate away at speeds of almost 20mph saying he would try and "sort things out with Stalin".
Joshiman
says...
2:45pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Which Brighton are you on about.?.Our so called planning experts are clueless.Too many traffic lights ,always out of sequence wherever you are.its a stop start traffic flowing system .Its a laugh for the controllers sitting by their computors,watching frustrated motorists.The new traffic lights installed on the seafront(Regency Sq) In fact everywhere you go its a CO2 nightmare city.New Nickname for Brighton "love CO2 "Drive in Brighton.
bogs
says...
2:50pm Fri 1 Feb 13
PJW Brighton
says...
2:58pm Fri 1 Feb 13
NickBtn
says...
3:33pm Fri 1 Feb 13
PJW Brighton wrote:I agree - this central area should be improved. However it's being proposed in isolation
As a business owner and employer in Marlborough Place, I look forward to this redevelopment. I understand that most of the work will be grant funded from outside of BHCC's budgets, but this is the kind of improvement I pay my business rates and taxes for.This part of the city should not be all about cars and can be used to attract visitors and provide leisure/recreation.
Like it or not, most tourists do arrive into Brighton this way. So an ideal plan would include an alternative eg. park and ride, another route in for tourists perhaps via a less central route. But this hasn't been done - so won't really change unless we put off the tourists which isn't in anyone's interest....
HJarrs
says...
3:49pm Fri 1 Feb 13
NickBtn wrote:Why do you people keep rabbiting on about tourists? Have you ever driven into Brighton off the A23 on a sunny summers day? People are willing to queue for an hour or more already without a park and ride. This development will not make one jot of difference to their journey time.
PJW Brighton wrote:I agree - this central area should be improved. However it's being proposed in isolation
As a business owner and employer in Marlborough Place, I look forward to this redevelopment. I understand that most of the work will be grant funded from outside of BHCC's budgets, but this is the kind of improvement I pay my business rates and taxes for.This part of the city should not be all about cars and can be used to attract visitors and provide leisure/recreation.
Like it or not, most tourists do arrive into Brighton this way. So an ideal plan would include an alternative eg. park and ride, another route in for tourists perhaps via a less central route. But this hasn't been done - so won't really change unless we put off the tourists which isn't in anyone's interest....
Also, you can hardly say that this development is in isolation as it links to other developments underway in the South / North Laine areas, Brighton Station and Lewes Rd.
Personally, I would look to leave the dual carriageway on the East side as it is today except for making it shared space; this would leave a larger part of the gardens intact and save a bag of money on new road building. Otherwise, the proposal has promise.
Phani Tikkala
says...
4:25pm Fri 1 Feb 13
HJarrs wrote:Hello Jason, or is it Ian?
NickBtn wrote:Why do you people keep rabbiting on about tourists? Have you ever driven into Brighton off the A23 on a sunny summers day? People are willing to queue for an hour or more already without a park and ride. This development will not make one jot of difference to their journey time.
PJW Brighton wrote:I agree - this central area should be improved. However it's being proposed in isolation
As a business owner and employer in Marlborough Place, I look forward to this redevelopment. I understand that most of the work will be grant funded from outside of BHCC's budgets, but this is the kind of improvement I pay my business rates and taxes for.This part of the city should not be all about cars and can be used to attract visitors and provide leisure/recreation.
Like it or not, most tourists do arrive into Brighton this way. So an ideal plan would include an alternative eg. park and ride, another route in for tourists perhaps via a less central route. But this hasn't been done - so won't really change unless we put off the tourists which isn't in anyone's interest....
Also, you can hardly say that this development is in isolation as it links to other developments underway in the South / North Laine areas, Brighton Station and Lewes Rd.
Personally, I would look to leave the dual carriageway on the East side as it is today except for making it shared space; this would leave a larger part of the gardens intact and save a bag of money on new road building. Otherwise, the proposal has promise.
leobrighton
says...
4:26pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Asking the public is just a waste of time and money and will end up with nothing being done. What is the point in the council employing educated experts to plan things when they end up asking just about any idiot what they think. As we all know everybody wants their own interests looked after so consulting the public will achieve nothing.
Wooton Basset
says...
4:36pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
says...
4:37pm Fri 1 Feb 13
PS - I notice in the illustration that the cyclist is about to go through the red light!
Crystal Ball
says...
4:43pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit wrote:It's an accurate representation of what will happen then.
HJarrs: We keep 'rabbiting on about tourists' because Brighton is a tourist destination and quite a few jobs in the city depend on it. You are quite right about the traffic queues on the A23, so the emphasis should be on trying make it easier for people to visit. If this scheme will do that then I'm in favour. (Either that or place armed guards by the pylons on the A23 and machine-gun every third car trying to get in. That'll keep the traffic down).
PS - I notice in the illustration that the cyclist is about to go through the red light!
censored
says...
4:44pm Fri 1 Feb 13
It already takes an hour to drive in on a busy day, and no this won't improve that. But it won't make it worse either.
Yes, we do need a park and ride, but that's a separate issue. The area needs improvement and this will be much more pleasant and accessible.
So, simple question to militant motorists. How will this plan make the roads worse?
bluemonday
says...
5:06pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Falmer Wizard
says...
5:13pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Thank goodness the present party will not be in office long enough to see these plans through.
terrace cred.
says...
6:14pm Fri 1 Feb 13
censored
says...
6:47pm Fri 1 Feb 13
bluemonday wrote:It's not supposed to help the traffic flow. It's supposed to create a better and more useful environment for people, without affecting the flow at all.
so two lanes north,2 lanes south from the pier to the level,with a bus lane aswell,sorry but is'nt that how it is now,just move the stupid roadworks by the entrance to the steine bus stops(which i've never seen anyone working on)and the might help the flow
rolivan
says...
7:36pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Cgull
says...
7:41pm Fri 1 Feb 13
ARealBessie
says...
10:23pm Fri 1 Feb 13
After we're informed that this doc is the 'proposed traffic MASTERPLAN'... "Mr Mayor added that the plans were still just a concept and by no means set in stone”.
No Mr Mayor. These 'plans' were just a 'concept' and 'by no means set in stone' back in at least 2006 - right alongside the council's plan to move The Level's skate park onto the open green. That was the time to have publicly 'consulted' had the council been remotely interested in what residents might have had to say.
The 'concept' has now evolved to 'masterplan' stage and the rest is mere formality (such as ticking the 'public consultation' box; a pesky legal requirement needed by funders in order to release public cash) .
In other words, contrary to Mr Mayor's assertions, these plans are as good as set in stone regardless of whatever anyone thinks of them.
.
ArgusReader100
says...
12:29am Sat 2 Feb 13
Mr P Brown
says...
1:08am Sat 2 Feb 13
censored wrote:It probably won't make them any worse, but it's a very expensive way to not make them any better, and as a few people have pointed out what happens when they get to the Palace Pier roundabout? As they do now they sit there and wait for the tiny gap that appears in the West East traffic, and the go for it, in other words zilch.
Rather than just moaning, could someone please explain how this will INCREASE congestion? There will be the same number of traffic lanes as there is now, but buses will be removed from the southernmost section.
It already takes an hour to drive in on a busy day, and no this won't improve that. But it won't make it worse either.
Yes, we do need a park and ride, but that's a separate issue. The area needs improvement and this will be much more pleasant and accessible.
So, simple question to militant motorists. How will this plan make the roads worse?
Athena
says...
3:33am Sat 2 Feb 13
Sussex jim
says...
8:09am Sat 2 Feb 13
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
says...
8:32am Sat 2 Feb 13
Sussex jim wrote:Bit of a fatuous comment there. The trains are overcrowded and also not 100% reliable. I know because I use them, indeed I rely on them as I don't own a car. Hence the need to provide alternatives to reduce the pressure on the railways. (And we should also press for increased rail capacity, but that's for another day).
There has been a park and ride system in operation since the birth of the motor car. It's called a railway.
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
9:37am Sat 2 Feb 13
The trains were late every day with dreadful delays when one broke down at Hassocks. I couldn't catch a bus from my estate because the Lewes Road scheme has left the one service which serves it useless. The timetable is non existent.
I live near the city centre so took to running to the station and then taking a train to Victoria.
Two hours on average each day one way at a huge cost.
It's no wonder that people just won't get out of their cars. In Friday my neighbour and I car shared to Gatwick and caught the Gatwick Express which was much easier.
It's a shame.
Athena
says...
10:55am Sat 2 Feb 13
Sussex jim wrote:The railway serves a different function to a motor car. A car has a boot, which contains all the family paraphernalia for the beach and/or pic-nick, the baby's essentials or granny's zimmer-frame or all the shopping. In other words, the train is too impractical for some journeys. Plus the it is expensive, crowded or badly-run. And for holiday-makers, it is inconvenient for those who want to drive around the Sussex countryside on their Brighton-based holiday, much of which is inaccessible by train.
There has been a park and ride system in operation since the birth of the motor car. It's called a railway.
guitarmanzz
says...
12:08pm Sat 2 Feb 13
censored wrote:Well censored take a look at old Shoreham road>Lewes road>Regency Square all areas where traffic once flowed freely and now has huge jams permanantely because of kitkat and Daveys obsession of creating jams and ruining our city..this will be the icing on the cake for jam city..like ive said im all for reducing congestion and improvements but dont engineer this choas..if they want to ban the car car completely then fair enough just bulid a car park at the Pylons and have trains n buses from there but dont make life worse especially if you have no choice and have to drive for a living around the city...
Rather than just moaning, could someone please explain how this will INCREASE congestion? There will be the same number of traffic lanes as there is now, but buses will be removed from the southernmost section.
It already takes an hour to drive in on a busy day, and no this won't improve that. But it won't make it worse either.
Yes, we do need a park and ride, but that's a separate issue. The area needs improvement and this will be much more pleasant and accessible.
So, simple question to militant motorists. How will this plan make the roads worse?
Hove Actually
says...
12:49pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Rather than just moaning, could someone please explain how this will INCREASE congestion?
Half the road, priority at junctions and loss of kerb space all given to the buses
100% of the traffic given half the road to use
Can you see what will be the end result yet? because Kitcrap doesn't care, he never has Brighton & Hove's interests anywhere near any dictate he issues
Beethoven
says...
2:53pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Hell's bells! I used to live near the bottom end of North Road, if I read the poor map correctly, it would make access very much harder. Do they want to live among all the "community events?"
Much as I miss Brighton, it makes me glad that I moved out when I did
ghost bus driver
says...
6:43pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit wrote:No they've all left because of the greens. ;)
Oh, and a third point: There is NO WAY will the finished product look anything like the artist's impression, not unless bubonic plague has wiped out vast swathes of the population.
Sussex jim
says...
6:57pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Athena wrote:I quite agree that a car serves different purposes. But the three railways that run into Brighton do already make an excellent park and ride system for those travelling in without luggage or other goods, and can park near London Road, Preston Park or Hove stations; or perhaps further out.
Sussex jim wrote:The railway serves a different function to a motor car. A car has a boot, which contains all the family paraphernalia for the beach and/or pic-nick, the baby's essentials or granny's zimmer-frame or all the shopping. In other words, the train is too impractical for some journeys. Plus the it is expensive, crowded or badly-run. And for holiday-makers, it is inconvenient for those who want to drive around the Sussex countryside on their Brighton-based holiday, much of which is inaccessible by train.
There has been a park and ride system in operation since the birth of the motor car. It's called a railway.
Bob_The_Ferret
says...
8:15pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Sussex jim wrote:London road, Preston Park & Hove stations are all in controlled parking zones, so you can't park all day, and you have to pay handsomely for the privilege, so you may as well continue all the way to your final destination, pay extortionately there and save the hassle and additional cost of waiting for a train.
Athena wrote:I quite agree that a car serves different purposes. But the three railways that run into Brighton do already make an excellent park and ride system for those travelling in without luggage or other goods, and can park near London Road, Preston Park or Hove stations; or perhaps further out.
Sussex jim wrote:The railway serves a different function to a motor car. A car has a boot, which contains all the family paraphernalia for the beach and/or pic-nick, the baby's essentials or granny's zimmer-frame or all the shopping. In other words, the train is too impractical for some journeys. Plus the it is expensive, crowded or badly-run. And for holiday-makers, it is inconvenient for those who want to drive around the Sussex countryside on their Brighton-based holiday, much of which is inaccessible by train.
There has been a park and ride system in operation since the birth of the motor car. It's called a railway.
A proper rail based park and ride would need a station with a suitably large amount free parking on the outskirts of town - the obvious place being Waterhall, on the A23/A27 junction, with a frequent shuttle into the central station. Such a station on the mainline could also double as a commuter parkway station, easing pressures from commuters travelling across town the the central station and Preston Park. Unfortunately, we don't currently have the calibre of politicians to make this happen - just ones who would rather plough up the historic city centre gardens to make way for a series of bus & bike lanes and whose idea of an integrated transport exchange is to remove taxi access to the station and to squeeze the roads down so much that buses and cars can't get anywhere near in a timely manner. They preach that you should get on a bike, which you then can't even take on the train!
HJarrs
says...
8:53pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:You picked a particularly poor week and Southern and FCC are shambolic when it comes to information. Southern are a fair weather railway, that said they have been pretty reliable most of the time last year and I expect performance to improve as the weather gets better.
I have to salute those regular train users. I have commuted for a week and shambolic even fails to communicate how poor the public transport is.
The trains were late every day with dreadful delays when one broke down at Hassocks. I couldn't catch a bus from my estate because the Lewes Road scheme has left the one service which serves it useless. The timetable is non existent.
I live near the city centre so took to running to the station and then taking a train to Victoria.
Two hours on average each day one way at a huge cost.
It's no wonder that people just won't get out of their cars. In Friday my neighbour and I car shared to Gatwick and caught the Gatwick Express which was much easier.
It's a shame.
However, lets not forget that every day on this website there is news alert of a local crash / road works / snow / flooding holding up traffic on the road.
Athena
says...
9:00pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Sussex jim wrote:Yes, but let's face it, Park & Rides are a nuisance, particularly when you have three children and a buggy, a mother with dementia or you're off to town to do a lot of shopping. It's also a nuisance if you are a holidaymaker who wants to see the sights.
Athena wrote:I quite agree that a car serves different purposes. But the three railways that run into Brighton do already make an excellent park and ride system for those travelling in without luggage or other goods, and can park near London Road, Preston Park or Hove stations; or perhaps further out.
Sussex jim wrote:The railway serves a different function to a motor car. A car has a boot, which contains all the family paraphernalia for the beach and/or pic-nick, the baby's essentials or granny's zimmer-frame or all the shopping. In other words, the train is too impractical for some journeys. Plus the it is expensive, crowded or badly-run. And for holiday-makers, it is inconvenient for those who want to drive around the Sussex countryside on their Brighton-based holiday, much of which is inaccessible by train.
There has been a park and ride system in operation since the birth of the motor car. It's called a railway.
Athena
says...
9:01pm Sat 2 Feb 13
HJarrs wrote:Terrific if you've already made your way to the station and just don't happen to have your laptop with you. Or you just don't happen to have a laptop.
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:You picked a particularly poor week and Southern and FCC are shambolic when it comes to information. Southern are a fair weather railway, that said they have been pretty reliable most of the time last year and I expect performance to improve as the weather gets better.
I have to salute those regular train users. I have commuted for a week and shambolic even fails to communicate how poor the public transport is.
The trains were late every day with dreadful delays when one broke down at Hassocks. I couldn't catch a bus from my estate because the Lewes Road scheme has left the one service which serves it useless. The timetable is non existent.
I live near the city centre so took to running to the station and then taking a train to Victoria.
Two hours on average each day one way at a huge cost.
It's no wonder that people just won't get out of their cars. In Friday my neighbour and I car shared to Gatwick and caught the Gatwick Express which was much easier.
It's a shame.
However, lets not forget that every day on this website there is news alert of a local crash / road works / snow / flooding holding up traffic on the road.
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
11:21pm Sat 2 Feb 13
And cold weather caused rail delays despite the roads being back in operation.
Somehow my clients aren't interested in public transport delays. I have to be there on time or lose business.
Also during the snow B&H buses stopped running buses to the uni campuses purely because the unis closed due to low turnout of staff and students despite nearby businesses still operating. This meant that end of town was poorly served despite the Lewes Road being clear if snow.
I am raising this with the council as I think this is unacceptable for a scheduled route. The unis do not pay for a chartered this route and I feel
This is unacceptable for a monopoly provider.
salty_pete
says...
8:16am Mon 4 Feb 13
toldsloth
says...
12:45pm Tue 5 Feb 13
Please avoid taking your car otherwise you'll simply add to the mind boggling congestion which is a direct result of the restrictions imposed by the design NOT by the construction work. It will inevitably get WORSE once it is finished and serves as nothing more than a warning of how NOT to implement a road scheme.
P.G
says...
12:50pm Tue 5 Feb 13
There are a few aspects on the Kemp Town side...The Circus Street Municipal Market is an asset that could re-vitalise this area with an arts, crafts, farmers market, studios and performance space.....although I'm currently reading student accommodation is planned. The other issue would be the hostels that are currently sited along this stretch
Athena
says...
1:00pm Tue 5 Feb 13
wippasnapper
says...
5:36pm Wed 6 Feb 13
Traffic trying to get out of Brighton will be grid locked duo to the one lane’s outgoing V London Rd & Lewes Rd just think of all that extra carbon dioxide everyone will be breathing in duo to all the congestion it will course.
Quite from “Brighton Living” To be green you need to have traffic flowing not at a standstill with the engines running…!
And my I remind everybody not so long ago the last council administration the Conservative first came up with this plane but it looks like the glorified GREEN have yet again stolen and orated the plans of the last administration only to take the glory of making Brighton a better but sorry to say not so heartier city…!
Maybe if all the GREEN councilors lived along the routs they have made congested with cars; truck ET pumping out carbon dioxide they’d think differently about coursing congestion… GREEN maybe there party name but HYPOCRITES is there true name!
ghost bus driver
says...
9:58pm Thu 7 Feb 13
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:It was also something to do with a stuck Bendy in North South Road, and traffic jams because of a jackknifed vehicle on the Lewes Road. Hence no service to the Uni. Also anything going up Boiler House Hill had to take a run up. That's why we don;t go in the university when it snows.
and the previous two weeks snow
And cold weather caused rail delays despite the roads being back in operation.
Somehow my clients aren't interested in public transport delays. I have to be there on time or lose business.
Also during the snow B&H buses stopped running buses to the uni campuses purely because the unis closed due to low turnout of staff and students despite nearby businesses still operating. This meant that end of town was poorly served despite the Lewes Road being clear if snow.
I am raising this with the council as I think this is unacceptable for a scheduled route. The unis do not pay for a chartered this route and I feel
This is unacceptable for a monopoly provider.
And for the last time: B&HB&CC IS NOT A MONOPOLY PROVIDER THERE ARE AT LEAST FOUR COMPANIES OPERATING IN BRIGHTON.
Got it? Good. Lets hear no more talk of a monopoly.
censored says...
12:50pm Fri 1 Feb 13
Don't motorists realise that with 2 northbound lanes, 2 southbound lanes AND a separate bus and taxi lane, there will be more room for traffic to flow?