BUSES are being forced to divert around heavy congestion in the city centre for the second day in a row.
The gridlocked traffic in Brighton and Hove has been blamed on a new seafront cycle lane which takes up a lane of the A259.
Drivers have reported long queues in neighbouring roads including Grand Parade, Gloucester Place and Edward Street, while the AA warned of slow traffic in roads around Valley Gardens and along the city’s seafront.
In a statement, Brighton and Hove Buses said: “Due to heavy traffic congestion at the Sea Life centre, our number 12, 12A, 12X, 14 and 27 services are diverted coming into Brighton via Upper Rock Gardens and Edward street to the Old Steine where they will resume normal route from Stop H.”
The company also warned customers that, “due to other vehicles using the St Peter’s Church bus lane, all northbound number 25, 28 and 29 services are using the main carriageway from the Old Steine to The Level”.
Work started on the new seafront cycle lane, which stretches from Brighton Palace Pier to Fourth Avenue in Hove, on August 4.
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Brighton and Hove Buses managing director Martin Harris praised Brighton and Hove City Council’s introduction of the bike lane as a way of promoting greener travel in the city.
But he also made a connection between the introduction of the lane and an increase in traffic in the city.
He said: “We support the council’s work to create a greener recovery and, as a provider of an active travel service, we support the promotion of more cycling and walking in the city where it offers choices that switch journeys away from cars.
“The council has listened to and recognised the needs of bus users in a number of its recent temporary schemes and rightly so - our bus users are already back to making the equivalent of 28 million journeys per year.
“There are delays being experienced by our customers and colleagues since the implementation of the cycle lane at the Palace Pier roundabout.
“It is early days and we really do need to find ways to reduce the traffic that causes congestion.
“If it doesn’t settle very soon for bus services we will seek to work with the council to make the situation better for the many bus users coming into the city from the east on the A259.
“This has been a great partnership success for the city in converting many journeys from car to bus in the past, and a success we need to build on for the future.”
Speaking yesterday, joint chairman of the transport and sustainability committee Pete West said the council was “aware there is some congestion along sections of the A23 and A259”.
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He said: “August is usually an extremely busy time of year in Brighton and Hove and transport officers are closely monitoring traffic flow around the city, including where new temporary transport measures are in place.
“We would encourage motorists to consider whether they could make their journey in a different way to ensure those who need to use a vehicle, including the disabled and emergency services, don’t face unnecessary congestion.”
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