Four new cycle lanes proposed for Brighton and Hove

The city council has asked the Government for £2,680,000 to establish the “ambitious” cycle lanes – and to widen the pavement in Western Road – under its Emergency Active Travel Fund.

This is the second tranche of bidding, the first of which has brought new cycle lanes on the Old Shoreham Road and A259 seafront road.

If funding is granted, the council will reallocate road space at the four new sites across Brighton and Hove to give more space and access to cyclists and pedestrians.

Green councillors Pete West and Amy Heley, who jointly chair the environment and transport committee, said in the report: “We have proven through tranche one measures so far that we are able to swiftly implement meaningful schemes to change the status quo on the road – such as the closure of Madeira Drive to motor vehicles and provision of segregated cycle lanes on Old Shoreham Road – to the benefit of many living in, working in and visiting our city.

“We feel our proposals meet the bid criteria well and show clear ambition to supporting a future of increased active travel in the city and await the outcome of this bid with interest.”

The four cycle lanes proposed are:

The extension of the current cycle lane on Old Shoreham Road, Hove, from Hangleton Road to the western border with West Sussex.

This will be done by reallocating road space on the dual carriageway to create a new 3m wide cycle lane in each direction.

The proposal states this will link the existing temporary cycle lanes with a the new lanes being implemented by West Sussex County Council

The council also proposes widening an existing cycle lane from the A23 London Road, from Stanford Avenue to north of Church Hill, including the Stanford Avenue arm of the A23 gyratory.

This will be done by reallocating road space to “permanently widen” the existing cycle lane along the 3.5k route.

Also under this proposal is the extension of a bus lane and the “permanent” reallocation of road space in Stanford Avenue to create a cycle lane linking the A23 lanes with the Preston Park residential area.

The council also proposes an extension of the westbound segregated cycle lane on the A259 seafront road from Fourth Avenue and the city’s western boundary.

Road space will be reallocated and parking will be removed to create an on-road westbound cycle lane.

The proposal says that while this scheme is temporary, the council “has agreed to progress plans for a high quality, bi-directional segregated cycle lane along the whole length of this scheme from the Palace Pier to the western city boundary”.

A new cycle lane on the A259 Marine Parade between the Palace Pier and Duke’s Mound is also proposed.

Road space will be reallocated and parking will be removed to create the new cycle lane.

The council said: “Reducing carriageway widths on this wide, vehicle-dominated route is likely to reduce vehicle speeds and ensure a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists.”

It is additionally proposed that pavements in Western Road between the junctions with Dyke Road and Montpelier Road be widened to provide more space for pedestrians.

Cllr West and Cllr Heley said in the report: “As Brighton and Hove continues in its recovery from Covid-19 we are pleased to be submitting this ambitious bid to the Department for Transport for the Emergency Active Travel Fund Tranche 2.

“This bid centres around the provision of five active travel corridors on key routes into the city centre, including continuation of schemes from tranche one, where there is known demand for walking, cycling and public transport.

“In a city with such high bus use and movement, supporting and replacing use of public transport with provision of safe active travel infrastructure is therefore a key element of this bid, as well as continuing to ensure detailed consideration and mitigation of any wider impacts of proposals, particularly on those with disabilities or mobility impairments and others with protected characteristics.”

If successful, the council aims to implement the changes “quickly” and start construction in November.

The Government asked how the council has been consulting with interested parties on accessibility issues, impacts on local businesses, freight deliveries and bus and taxi operators.

It replied: “The first stage of the main local cycling and walking infrastructure plan consultation stakeholder engagement took place in late May/early June 2020 and as part of this officers were also able to incorporate feedback and suggestions from stakeholders on emergency measures. Stakeholder engagement was focused on walking and cycling issues on the network, enabling feedback to be provided on problems and potential solutions – both short and long term.

“A range of stakeholder groups were consulted (more than 130 groups in total), including ward councillors, neighbouring authority officers, residents’ associations, local groups, walking and cycling groups and groups representing equality, disability and diversity.

“Engagement involved an online survey as well as two virtual workshops.

“The council has also put in place a survey for the public to feed back on temporary, Covid-19-response transport and travel measures in the city.

“This survey enables respondents to indicate their level of support for the scheme as well as an opportunity to provide comments on the measures and indicate whether the measures have supported social distancing and enabled them to travel more actively.”

To have your say, visit consultations.brighton-hove.gov.uk/parking/covid-19-temporary-measures.