NEW traffic measures are costing at least £135,480 a month in lost revenue.

A report given to Brighton and Hove City Council revealed the estimated loss of parking revenue caused by the closure of Madeira Drive and the new A259 cycle route.

The money, which equates to £1,625,756 a year, goes towards concessionary bus passes for the disabled and over-65s as well as subsidising bus routes, some of which operate in areas of high social-economic deprivation.

When asked how it expected to fill the funding gap, a council spokeswoman said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the council’s finances and we now have a mammoth task ahead in managing tighter budgets with an increased demand for the funding available.

“We are currently considering options to actively manage spending balanced with maintaining essential services, supporting residents and businesses through the pandemic, and the city’s recovery.”

The full closure of the seafront road means the council is expecting to lose £1,300,000 a year, or £108,334 a month, or about £3,611 a day.

The A259 cycle lane between Brighton Palace Pier to Fourth Avenue, Hove, will lose parking revenue of £325,756 a year, £27,146 a month, or about £904 a day.

The £1.6 million loss of revenue does not include other current and proposed road changes, including “Old Town”, London Road, Church Road and St James’s Street.

These road changes, the council estimates, could lose it another £18,134 a month in parking revenue.

The report states: “As a city with high public transport use, there is a need to take measures to reallocate road space to people walking and cycling, both to encourage active travel and to enable physical distancing as the city moves to the next phase of the pandemic response.

“A ‘do nothing’ option has been considered, but is not appropriate as this is likely to result in: Inability of residents to comply with Government guidance on physical distancing; increased road danger as a result of higher vehicular traffic levels, speeds, collisions and harmful emissions; modal shift away from sustainable modes to private cars; increased inequalities as those that can work from home do so, or drive. National research shows these tend to be higher income earners; and weaker and less diverse economy as small businesses struggle to adapt to new conditions.”