Coronavirus: A259 in Brighton could be used for cyclists

Councillors will consider whether to change a cycle lane near Brighton's Preston Park, use half of King's Road and add a cycle lane to Marina Parade.

A report states the council could take out both the inside lane for both north and south sides of the A259 so east bound cyclists would need to move over to the north side to the west of Preston Street.

"The cycle lanes on the north side could be coned and tapered at junctions similar to how normal cycle lanes operate in the city when with flow lanes are implemented," it adds.

The report states this would allow the promenade to be used wholly by pedestrians and no longer shared.

The cost would be in the region of £58,000 not including the continued monitoring of the coned areas or signing costs.

The report states that due to the cost, safety concerns and limited benefit of these options, it is proposed that this will not be pursued in the urgent response phase. Consideration can be given to the A259 as part of an Interim Covid-19 response that is proposed.

A decision on the A23 is due just days after Brighton and Hove City Council created a temporary cycle lane along a stretch of the A270 Old Shoreham Road, in Hove.

Officials have prepared a report for Labour council leader Nancy Platts, opposition Green leader Phélim Mac Cafferty and Conservative leader Steve Bell.

The report said that more space was needed for pedestrians to allow for social distancing, mainly in the city centre.

It said that the cycle lane between London Road and Preston Park is considered a pinchpoint in the national cycle network.

Phelim Mac Cafferty Green Brunswick

Southbound cyclists are supposed to cross over to the western side of Preston Road and continue along the pavement, rather than head down Beaconsfield Road, following the flow of traffic.

The report said: “The contraflow cycle route runs on the footway in conflict with trees and pedestrians due to the narrow width.

“Narrowing the northbound traffic lanes would enable cyclists to use the road, allowing sufficient space for two way cyclist movement with social distancing.”

Changes to the primary route into Brighton would cost about £23,000 and are currently under review.

Read more: UK's first Covid cycle lane on dual carriageway to open in Brighton

But a proposal to set aside one or two lanes of the seafront A259 between the Aquarium Roundabout and just beyond the i360 will have to wait due to cost.

One suggestion in the report would be to close the south side of King’s Road to cars and create a contraflow cycle path – or the council could close a lane on each side of the main road for cyclists to use.

The A23

Either option would cost more than £58,000. The report is to be considered by the council’s Policy and Resources Urgency  Sub-Committee. Other proposals going before the virtual meeting include closing Sydney Street and Gardner Street to traffic on weekdays, after consulting with businesses, to give more space to people on foot.

The report also proposes removing parking spaces in Boundary Road, Hove, St James’s Street, Brighton, and London Road, Brighton, to widen the pavements.

Some bus stops may close along Western Road, between Dyke Road and Montpelier Road, to make social distancing easier for people queuing to go into shops – and to give pedestrians more space.

A cycle lane is proposed along Marine Parade. Another idea is to lengthen the bus lane between Roedean and Ovingdean.

This would require an “experimental traffic order”.

The virtual meeting is due to start at 11.30am tomorrow.

• The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund