Plans welcomed to make Hove station area safer

Plans were put in place for several changes around the Hove station area and down towards Blatchington Road.

It comes after a number of incidents over the years where several people have been hit by cars at the junction where Goldstone Villas, Clarendon Villas and Eaton Villas meet.

Gary Wilkinson, Labour councillor for Central Hove, encouraged people to offer their views on the consultation for the scheme which started last Monday, June 20 and will finish on Friday, July 15.

The mini roundabout in Hove which will be removed

The plans also include widening pavements, putting in pedestrian crossings, a cycle lane and “green areas” to improve biodiversity.

He told The Argus: “I welcome the news that the Green led administration has finally woken up to the urgency of a  complete redesign of the Goldstone Villas junction with Clarendon Villas and Eaton Villas.

“It’s something local residents and myself have been asking seeking for some time.

“The mini-roundabout at this junction is horrendous for both pedestrians and cyclists, and a number of accidents have shown the need for a pedestrian crossing at the dangerous crossroads.

A cyclist was hit by a hearse in May on the mini roundabout by Goldstone Villas

“Labour councillors have also been calling for improved crossing points, around Hove Station and across Goldstone Villas, including many of the side streets up to the station where crossing is difficult.

“In welcoming this consultation, I continue to urge the Brighton and Hove City Council to update its road safety strategy.  

“I have been pushing for an updated road safety strategy, including road danger reduction measures and increased pedestrian crossings that was passed by the council over a year ago but has not yet materialised.

“Almost all road deaths and injuries are preventable events.

Hove pensioner John Hadman was hit by a car at the roundabout in November 2020

“Safe mobility is central to the quality of life of all who live and work in our city.  

“The people of Brighton and Hove should be able to go about their daily lives without being placed under undue risk of injury from traffic.”

Once plans are revised, the plans will be put forward to the council’s environment, transport and sustainability (ETS) committee in November this year with the aim to start work in early 2023.

Councillor Steve Davis, co-chairman of the ETS committee, said he was “especially pleased” to see the complete redesign of the mini-roundabout.

Access for cars from Goldstone Villas will be removed

A “Copenhagen crossing” will also be put in at the Shirley Street and Goldstone Villas junction.

The crossing is raised which encourages cars to slow down and give way to people crossing the road.

People can view the plans in person at Hove Town Hall customer service centre in Norton Road between Monday, July 4 and Friday, July 8.

The council said the proposed cycle lane in Goldstone Villas has been included due to recent cycle count data indicating the route is used enough by cyclists to warrant the introduction of a mandatory cycle lane as per guidance from the Department for Transport.

For more information, visit the council website.