THE future of cycle lanes - and other proposals which could change the face of the city - are set to be decided at a crunch meeting this afternoon.

Brighton and Hove councillors will be voting on a series of key decisions about controversial lanes across the city, as well as plans for new ones.

The meeting of the environmental, transport and sustainability committee is expected to be dramatic with the Old Shoreham Road lane at risk of being scrapped.

However, a council source told The Argus that last minute vote changes and political wrangling could see the route remain.

Councillors are also expected to decide on a series of changes that could transform the face of the city.

This includes a newly imagined city centre at Churchill Square, a Park and Rise at Mill Road, and expansions to the current cycle routes, as well as new ones.

Council officials are telling councillors that they should agree to the following:

  • Keep Phase 1 of the Old Shoreham Road temporary cycle lane in place as an experimental scheme, with a number of improvements
  • Not to proceed with Phase 2 of the Old Shoreham Road temporary cycle lane at this stage
  • To proceed with proposed pedestrian changes to Old Shoreham Road at Newtown Road and near Hove Park
  • Proceed with proposed temporary changes to increase vehicle queuing space at the Olive Road/Stapley Road junction
  • Not to proceed at this stage with the proposals for Nevill Road, Windlesham Close, Weald Avenue and Stapley Road
  • To keep the Phase 1 Seafront A259 temporary westbound cycle lane in place (from West Street to Fourth Avenue) as an experimental scheme, with scheme improvements including disabled parking
  • To proceed with the proposals for Phase 2 of the Seafront (A259) temporary westbound cycle lane scheme including pedestrian, loading and disabled parking improvements
  • To proceed with introducing an experimental traffic scheme on King’s Esplanade (and adjoining roads)
  • To officers progressing with a new Active Travel Fund (2021/22) bid to secure future funding for schemes, including consideration for Marine Parade, Old Town, A23, Old Shoreham Road and a "mini-Holland" proposal for the city.
  • Preliminary designs for Western Road, to a consultation on changes to Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO), and to begin construction on other parts of the scheme
  • Preliminary designs for the A23 scheme and that further designs are developed for an additional public consultation
  • To progress a trial park and ride site at Mill Road from summer 2022

The Argus will be bringing you all the action on a live blog at 4pm.