£8 million worth of funding for the transformation of Brighton and Hove city centre has been confirmed.

Brighton and Hove City Council has been granted £8 million of government funding for the Valley Gardens project following a Coast-to-Capital LEP meeting today.

The Green administration said the confirmed funding brought the total of external finance that has been won during their term for city improvements to £70million.

Under the scheme, general traffic will be restricted to the eastern side of the central junction around Victoria Gardens while the western side will be used by buses and taxis.

A central green space will be increased with hundreds of extra trees and improved transport for pedestrians and cyclists. The first two phases of the scheme will require an additional £2 million from the council.

On Monday, Labour transport lead Gill Mitchell voted against taking the funding bid to the LEP citing fears of the long-term financial risk the scheme opened the council up to.

Green councillor and transport lead Ian Davey said pulling out of the bid at such a late stage would have damaged the council’s “credibility” and put a further £12m worth of bids at risk.

He added: "This is brilliant news for the city: a ‘thumbs up’, at national and regional level, for the Green administration's ideas for improving travel and the local environment.

"The project will carry on the fine work that has been done at The Level, and the ongoing improvements at the iconic St Peter's Church, stretching down through the gardens to the Royal Pavilion, transforming this green heart of our city.”