Green council responds to MP's comments over handling of cycle lanes

The Labour MP accused the city council of creating a "Battle Royale" over cycle lanes in the city.

Hannah Clare, deputy leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “It is clear Labour are divided over how to respond to active travel. While Labour councillors vote for more walking and cycling measures and were the ones who were running the council when measures were put in place, Peter Kyle MP seems to challenge otherwise.

“It’s a shame that Peter Kyle has taken issue with his own councillors’ objectives. It was councillors of his own party who brought in road layout changes such as the Old Shoreham Road temporary cycle lane and the closure of Madeira Drive without prior consultation. On the latest plans we have put forward, Labour councillors saw the detail of this at committee, were able to scrutinise these proposals at committee, and voted for them.

“Since becoming the administration, Greens have responded. We have adapted parts of the schemes, taken out sections in response to feedback, reopened Madeira Drive and released more plans to make Madeira Drive more inclusive than before.

“We have also set up a new active and inclusive travel forum. Where Labour had failed to do so previously, we have also launched the widest consultation yet, where we ensured the council wrote to affected residents to advise them of it. We know that Labour have learnt from their mistakes on consultation, and we were happy to incorporate changes they suggested too.

“There is important context too. All councillors, again including the Labour group, recognised the climate emergency, the urgency of reducing air pollution, voted in support of plans for a car free city centre, and supported the outcomes of the climate assembly – which included providing more space for walking and cycling.

“Old Shoreham Road in particular is a vital route for many children getting to school and as schools reopened this week, we have seen more than ever the necessity of it. It is also the route to both Mill View Hospital, Hove Polyclinic and Martlets Hospice, giving these vital key workers a safe route to reach work while at the frontline of the response to the pandemic.

“Peter Kyle has sadly ignored some other important context. It is the Conservative government that has provided funding for new schemes, on the basis that the council implement projects that ‘radically change the status quo on the road.’ This is why his Labour councillors introduced schemes so swiftly, with consultation only happening while the measures were in place. As an MP, Peter Kyle is well placed to raise concerns with the approach taken by the Conservative government, and we would support him in that.

“Consultation questions are also based on Department for Transport guidelines.

“This was issued to local authorities alongside guidance that found 60 per cent of people support road layout changes, asking councils not to prioritise ‘a vocal minority.’ Councillors were also clear in committee that a consultation is not the same as a ‘referendum’ on schemes.

“New schemes proposed under the current consultation are being consulted on prior to works taking place.

“We know that Peter has previously committed to action to address our Climate and Biodiversity Emergency. And we’d like to ask him to work with us and other councillors, to address this challenge. In the week we’ve published our Carbon Neutral Plan – its more important than ever that we work with all partners to reach carbon neutrality by 2030.”