Calls to curb traffic in Hove after pensioner hit in Goldstone Villas

John Hadman was knocked down by a BMW as he tried to cross Goldstone Villas from Eaton Villas at about 3pm on November 5 last year.

The 81-year-old suffered bruised ribs and has an ongoing problem with his left leg as a result of the accident.

He now wears a high visibility jacket whenever he crosses the junction to feel safe and is campaigning for a pedestrian crossing in the street.

John Hadman, 81, was hit by a car in Goldstone Villas last year

Labour councillor for Central Hove ward Gary Wilkinson said he was shocked to hear about the collision and described the roundabout in Goldstone Villas as "horrendous" for pedestrians.

He said: "I've been in contact with Mr. Hadman and other local residents and they are right in asking for something to be done about this dangerous crossroads.

"The junction is horrendous. If you're a pedestrian - never mind an 81-year-old pedestrian - how do you cross there? You have to go all the way down to Blatchington Road.

"It's really unsafe. Something needs to be done."

Cllr Wilkinson said the area is a "rush-hour rat-run" where drivers "try to shave a few seconds off their journey by avoiding the main roads and traffic lights" and travel along residential streets instead.

He has urged Brighton and Hove City Council to update its road safety strategy and to consider streets in Central Hove becoming a Low Traffic Neighbourhood.

Cllr Wilkinson said: "The aim of a Low Traffic Neighbourhood is to reduce traffic going through certain streets, which could be through the use of physical barriers, such as planters.

"It should allow residents and emergency services access but reduce the flow of traffic.

"The council is running a pilot scheme in Hanover. My point is, why do we have to wait for this pilot scheme?

Labour councillor Gary Wilkinson, who represents Central Hove ward

"Residents have approached me over and over about this issue of rush-hour rat-running in Central Hove and creating a Low Traffic Neighbourhood in my ward."

In 2019, 168 people were killed or seriously injured on Brighton and Hove's roads.

Cllr Wilkinson said: "Almost all road deaths and injuries are preventable events.

"The people of Central Hove should be able to go about their daily lives without being placed under undue risk of injury from traffic.

"Local people know their streets better than anyone else and must be able to shape their communities."

Councillor Amy Heley, chairwoman of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, said a report on the pilot scheme in Hanover is expected to be presented to the committee in March.

She said: “I'm delighted to see there is interest in developing a Low Traffic Neighbourhood in Hove.

“As the first of its kind in our city, it is pivotal to evaluate the outcomes of the pilot scheme in Hanover to set the scene for possible similar Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in the future and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes out of this pilot scheme.”