Madeira Drive work in Brighton restarts next week

An existing cycle lane on the pavement will be removed and replaced with a two-way bike lane on the south side of the seafront road in Brighton.

Other changes include introducing crossing points between the Palace Pier and Dukes Mound, increasing the number of Blue Badge parking spots from 14 to 27 and "changing the orientation of Pay and Display parking bays for easier use".

The work is set to be completed in May, depending on weather conditions.

Madeira Drive in Brighton was closed to cars during the early stages of lockdown

Madeira Drive was closed to cars completely in March last year as the council looked to open up more space for people to exercise outdoors during the pandemic.

Following concerns raised by residents and businesses over lack of accessibility to the seafront road, the eastbound carriageway was reopened to vehicles in October.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: "We will be working closely with colleagues currently developing improvements to the Dukes Mound junction, and some parking suspensions and footway closures will be necessary. Every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum.

• READ MORE: Brighton's Madeira Drive re-opening one-way

"The changes are being made through an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order. This means we will have the flexibility to develop the scheme further if required.

"Madeira Drive will continue to be available for organised events."

This latest phase of work hopes to transform Madeira Drive "into a space that everyone can enjoy", councillor Amy Heley, chairwoman of the council's Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee (ETS), said.

Green Cllr Amy Heley who represents the Preston Park ward

She also heralded the road's importance as "a huge part of the city’s history" and said she was "delighted" to see it being improved.

Councillor Heley said: "It’s important that cyclists and pedestrians can travel along the road safely while those who still need to use a car can continue to do so. I’m especially pleased that we’ve been able to increase the number of Blue Badge bays.

"We are continuing to create an infrastructure for active, sustainable and accessible travel which is vital for reducing toxic emissions and improving air quality in the city."

Councillor Gary Wilkinson, the ETS opposition lead, stressed the importance of safety in the seafront road.

He said: "We really welcome the news that these works will soon be underway. We hope these changes will make Madeira Drive a safer space for pedestrians and cyclists.

Labour councillor Gary Wilkinson, who represents Central Hove ward

"Residents have repeatedly raised the issue of safety on Madeira Drive and we must continue to keep all users as safe as possible during this transformation.

"With warmer, sunnier days approaching, it is understandable that people will want to get outside more often and be near the sea, and these changes should create more space for pedestrians to safely socially distance on busy days.

"It’s really important this historic Drive can be a safe and inclusive environment for all its users in the city, and this work is a positive step in that direction.”