Brighton aquarium junction overnight work complete

Earlier this year, work began to remove the aquarium roundabout, near Brighton seafront, and replace it with a junction.

The work is part of the third phase of the Valley Gardens project, which began in November and is due to finish this summer.

As of April 19, overnight works have been taking place in the area which has included installing cables and utilities, as well as resurfacing the road.

In a post on social media, Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, confirmed this work has been completed on schedule.

Work on changing the roundabout to a junction began earlier this year (Image: Brighton and Hove City Council)

Work to install new traffic islands is continuing, with temporary traffic lights set to remain in place until mid-May.

Councillor Muten wrote: “Work continues at the Aquarium Junction with temporary traffic signals and temporary pedestrian crossings remaining in place as part of this stage of construction.

“I’m pleased to confirm that the two weeks of overnight road closures needed to lay out the cables, utilities and resurface the road were recently completed on schedule.

“This is an important part of the Valley Gardens Phase 3 project transforming the heart of our city.

"The new layout is really starting to take shape, and even at this stage it’s already looking impressive and gives a clear sense of what’s to come.”

The Valley Gardens project has brought a number of changes to the city including the resurfacing of roads, creation of new public spaces and cycle lanes, new pavements, and pedestrian crossings, as well as the beginning of construction for a new public space between the Royal Pavilion and war memorial.

Once finished, the council believes the project will allow better access for pedestrians, cyclists and visitors, new and accessible public spaces, better public transport links, trees and landscaping and sustainable outdoor infrastructure for events.

Cllr Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure

The new junction will have new pavements and separate crossings and the layout will see the removal of the roundabout as well as the traffic lights on each of the approaching roads, which currently work separately from one another.

Councillor Muten thanked residents, businesses and visitors for their patience as work progresses.

The council previously warned drivers to “expect delays”, explaining that the temporary lights are not operating the same way as the permanent lights will.

Cllr Muten said that council officers, engineers and contractors have responded to public feedback and are monitoring traffic flow to improve the phasing of the temporary lights to reduce congestion.