Today is Armistice Day. An annual remembrance of the Armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. At 11am we will gather, together with veterans, the Mayor of Brighton and Hove, partner services such as Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire and Rescue at the War Memorial at the Old Steine to remember and reflect on the sacrifice and bravery of that heroic generation, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. Last Sunday we held similar services for Remembrance Day across the city, from Portslade to Rottingdean to pay our respects to the fallen and to recommit to a world where we all seek peace, security and freedom. I am always so touched and moved to see residents come out in their thousands to celebrate our heroes, young and elderly, all races and faiths, standing together to remember our shared purpose, our shared sacrifice and the shared future we want to build for all those communities across the Commonwealth who have given so much in the pursuit of peace.
This week is Interfaith Week which provides further opportunities for community building. There is a ‘Together at the Table’ communal meal hosted by Sussex Surplus CIC from 6pm to 8pm, this Wednesday 12 November at One Church Brighton, Gloucester Place. And the Interfaith Week annual service takes place this Sunday 16 November at One Church, Florence Road, Brighton - a free, open spiritual gathering for people of all faiths and none, which will include a variety of music and readings.
Thank you to everyone who responded to our consultation on the redesigned A259 from Fourth Ave to the Wharf. The feedback received was very positive and constructive and we're now taking a report to cabinet later this month which incorporates much of the feedback received and makes further changes to the planned designs. After a slap dash attempt by the Greens, we paused this project to deliver a higher quality design that better serves the needs of all residents. And we are continuing to listen to improve the final scheme. Design changes made in response to consultation feedback include: re-design of a new crossing point near St Aubyns South to remove need for right turn vehicle ban; a new pedestrian crossing added near St Keyna Avenue; relocation of bus stop from outside Vega Building to the east of Roman Road; parking retained outside the Gather Inn; more parking mitigation where possible near St Leonard’s Road / St Leonard’s Avenue; widening the buffer separator as much as possible between cycle lane and parking; additional safety measures incorporated on shared use sections and continued engagement with stakeholder groups through detailed design process; ensuring the toucan crossing design suits needs of pedestrians and cyclists; the review bus stop positioning for single lane areas to ensure free-flow of traffic and additional green spaces and planting where possible and subject to long-term maintenance agreements.
And our regeneration work is taking shape right across the city. With the first phase of the Black Rock rejuvenation project completed, your Labour council is working with our newly established seafront development board to develop a long-term vision for the site to become an evolving destination for the city.
In the meantime, we are looking for shorter-term commercial proposals for the vacant site. The revitalised half hectare site on the eastern seafront is due to be developed in the next five years. But in the meantime, the area provides a unique location for commercial operators to offer a new creative destination that could deliver a broad range of activations, events, exhibitions and installations. And so we’ve announced a process of licencing the site for temporary activations or activities to take place in 2026. Recent improvements are already attracting many more residents and visitors to the area. They include the opening of the Reading Room and Temple cafes and refurbishment of the Volks Railway station and toilets, as well as the opening of the beach boardwalk. Applications should be made by the end of this month and we’ll review them on December.
My next leader's surgery will be held in the Preston Park ward from 12.30pm to 2.30pm on Friday 28 November at the Tower House Community Centre, Tower Gate, London Road. This event is the latest in a series of surgeries we’ve organised to give residents an opportunity to meet with me directly and in person and share their ideas, raise concerns or pose questions.
Surgeries have already been held in Brunswick & Adelaide, Coldean & Stanmer, Goldsmid, Hangleton & Knoll, Hollingdean & Fiveways, Queen’s Park, Regency, South Portslade, Westbourne & Poets’ Corner, Wish and Woodingdean wards. I found each and everyone one of these surgeries valuable in helping me understand the needs and issues arising across the city and to help shape the Council’s response. If you have a query and you’d like to sign up please get in touch. Each surgery is open to residents across the city.
Bella Sankey is the Labour Leader for Brighton and Hove City Council
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