Brighton Valley Gardens plans beat Green’s plea (From The Argus)
Get involved: Send your news, views, pictures and video by texting SUPIC to 80360 or email us.
Brighton Valley Gardens plans beat Green’s plea
7:00am Friday 15th March 2013 in News By Ben James
An artist's impression of part of the Valley Gardens project
A senior Green councillor has called for a controversial transport master plan to go back out for consultation because designs don’t meet “public aspirations”.
But the chair of the council’s environment and sustainability committee Coun Pete West’s call fell on deaf ears and the scheme was voted through.
Coun West abstained from the vote on the Valley Gardens scheme stating that the plans did not match with what residents had asked for.
Describing the proposal as “surprising”, he told colleagues: “I don’t believe this outcome meets the public aspiration for less traffic and greater tranquillity, and we have not yet consulted the public on this draft proposal.
“I appreciate it is suggested consultation will take place on aspects of the scheme as they become deliverable, but that is not the same thing.
“I think the public need to be consulted on the whole concept now, before it is adopted and progressed.”
The proposal for the area between The Level and Palace Pier roundabout would see a complete redesign of infrastructure.
Under plans, traffic would be rerouted with buses running on the west side of the gardens and cars to the east.
There would also be a dedicated cycle and bus lane and a tree-lined avenue.
A pedestrianised exhibition space would be created in Marlborough Place. The design, based on Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, would see the road used for events like Brighton Fringe and Festival.
Designers have worked the plans around the area’s existing elm trees which has meant that the road on the east side will eat into the gardens.
Coun West argued that as a result the public’s call for less traffic and greater tranquillity had not been met.
He said: “I believe we can do better with this to create an exciting natural public open space that is world renowned.
“The scheme before us doesn’t, I’m afraid, achieve that, as it is driven by the constraint of being traffic neutral.
“We are all keen to make Valley Gardens more than a series of traffic islands and I’m concerned that we don’t just end up making it a central reservation instead.
“The public must own this vision, we must consult them on it before agreeing to it.”
His call for a final decision to be put back for another public consultation was rejected. Work will start later this year and completed in stages.
See the latest news headlines from The Argus:
- Author Peter James 'lucky to be alive' following 70mph racing crash
- Hove murder: wanted man phones The Argus
- Shoreham Rugby Club holding charity barbecue and fun day
- Police investigate spate of car crime across Sussex
- Sussex Police get Chinese book of sayings as thank you gift
Add us to your circles on Google+
Comments(18)
Bt'n-breezy
says...
7:28am Fri 15 Mar 13
evon
says...
7:36am Fri 15 Mar 13
Crystal Ball
says...
8:09am Fri 15 Mar 13
Currently there are no incentives for the road user to leave the car at home or out of town. The existing (does it still?) park and ride is woefully pathetic and BHCC have admitted it is not a viable scheme to develop so residents and visitors alike can look forward to congestion and sitting idly more than they do already.
The next thing you know, BHCC will be introducing a congestion charge too.
HJarrs
says...
8:39am Fri 15 Mar 13
In principal, the redevelopment of this area is a good idea and will make this area of Brighton a more pleasant place, which will provide opportunities for residents, business and simplyfy the road network.
However, the proposal to split a dual carriageway either side of a line of elm trees, eating into the green space is ill thought through. The road should be concentrated on one side only.
Morpheus
says...
8:53am Fri 15 Mar 13
Bt'n-breezy wrote:On the other hand, we all know what goes on in the bushes!
Planting greenery may cut crime. If you search the web using the words 'greenery crime' you can find out more about it. Let's get smart!
Llort
says...
9:03am Fri 15 Mar 13
We do have to manage traffic responsibly, but motorists who react by shrieking 'what about me?' should instead answer: 'When exactly was it decided that your needs trump the needs of pushchairs, wheelchairs, local residents and businesses?' I work in the centre and it takes me several minutes to get across the Steine just to get a sandwich and back, in an environment that is noisy and polluted around our most iconic tourist attraction.
And while we're on it, what on earth ever happened to the long-buried brilliant Gehl Report?
http://www.brighton-
hove.gov.uk/index.cf
m?request=c1190374
Tallywhacker
says...
9:36am Fri 15 Mar 13
HJarrs
says...
10:30am Fri 15 Mar 13
Tallywhacker wrote:It is exactly the sort of delay that puts off people using two feet to get to their destination. We should be making B&H easy to walk and cycle across.
Several minutes to get a sandwich.....and get back? Hardly a major trek is it.
upsidedowntuctuc
says...
10:43am Fri 15 Mar 13
Another hair brain expensive scheme and millions more wasted on 'Transport' whilst care services school funding and housing are cut back.
How long will all this take bearing in mind the chaos at the Dials this morning that is going to take 9 months (deliberately tardy to up congestion and greenhouse gasses) Lewes Road on going chaos (Who the hell painted those thick wobbly white lines on the non existent bus lane?.. Definitely been on something or brain poisoned by the CO fumes caused by the road works?)
This is going to be done at same time so no hope of accessing the City Center businesses or Seafront for anyone from North of the City.
PETE OF QUEENS PARK
says...
10:52am Fri 15 Mar 13
Kate234
says...
11:00am Fri 15 Mar 13
PJW Brighton
says...
11:21am Fri 15 Mar 13
PETE OF QUEENS PARK wrote:It is Southern Gas digging the holes, not the Greens, but lets not let the facts get in the way of a good whinge.
If you want to see what it will be like when the mad greens start this stupid idea just drive down grand parade this morning and you will see the chaos by the art college where yes they are digging more b-----y holes and the traffic tailed back to the Level and beyond
JumboJimbo
says...
11:30am Fri 15 Mar 13
This plan will put two lanes of traffic INSIDE the rows of Elms inbetween The King and Queen and the Art College.. We will lose half of the green lawns (where the ladyboys have their tent) to roads ! Seriously look at the plans.. THe rows of Elms are set to become traffic islands between lanes of traffic..
I predict a riot.
rolivan
says...
12:46pm Fri 15 Mar 13
thevoiceoftruth
says...
12:46pm Fri 15 Mar 13
HJarrs wrote:In some countries people walk six miles to school each way, or three miles just to get water. Get some perspective! If walking for a few minutes 'puts people off using two feet' then what hope do you have of changing public opinion to four wheels bad, two wheels good?
Tallywhacker wrote:It is exactly the sort of delay that puts off people using two feet to get to their destination. We should be making B&H easy to walk and cycle across.
Several minutes to get a sandwich.....and get back? Hardly a major trek is it.
HJarrs
says...
2:06pm Fri 15 Mar 13
thevoiceoftruth wrote:Considering that I have had able bodied neighbours regularly drive less than a mile into town for work, taking at least as much time as it takes to walk and we have a major obesity problem, I think we have a major challange.
HJarrs wrote:In some countries people walk six miles to school each way, or three miles just to get water. Get some perspective! If walking for a few minutes 'puts people off using two feet' then what hope do you have of changing public opinion to four wheels bad, two wheels good?
Tallywhacker wrote:It is exactly the sort of delay that puts off people using two feet to get to their destination. We should be making B&H easy to walk and cycle across.
Several minutes to get a sandwich.....and get back? Hardly a major trek is it.
Hence, when we are redesigning junctions and roads at least we should make it as easy as reasonably practicle to make walking safe, straightfoward and without too much delay.
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
2:50pm Fri 15 Mar 13
You have mummy brain.
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit says...
7:28am Fri 15 Mar 13