Improving Seven Dials
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Improving Seven Dials
Seven Dials is a major road junction to the northwest of the city centre. It has seven roads that spread outwards from a roundabout, including the busy Dyke Road.
Work on site began on 4 March. Restrictions and diversions will be in place from Wednesday 6 March.
The improvement work was approved by the council’s Transport Committee on 15 January 2013 following the positive outcome of the public consultation held in October 2012.
- View the construction timetable
- View what will be constructed in each phase
- View the revised and final layout of the scheme
The works will be carried out in phases to ensure that local residents and businesses experience as little disruption as possible while ensuring that access for pedestrians and vehicles is retained where possible. Some road closures and restrictions on traffic movements will be necessary to ensure the work can be completed safely.
The scheme
The scheme aims to address the very serious road safety issues that exist here - 41 collisions resulting in 44 people injured have been recorded over the last five years, with 18 of these involving cyclists.
As part of the scheme, the council is improving:
- The visual appearance of the area by introducing high quality new paving and street furniture such as planters and benches and removing unnecessary railings and street clutter.
- The pedestrian environment will be improved by the introduction of zebra crossings as well as wider pavements
- Cycling infrastructure: cyclists will benefit from slower vehicle speeds and lanes designed so they can occupy the centre of the lane without the fear of being cut up by overtaking vehicles – a common cause of cyclist accidents at roundabouts.
- The road design/layout: Turning movements for all sizes of vehicles have been accounted for and maintained, despite the introduction of a much larger central island. It will have an over-run area which larger vehicles will be able to use when necessary but will keep general traffic in a single circulatory lane.
Please note: Options for the closure of Vernon Terrace to northbound traffic and the possibility of introducing two-way traffic flow in Bath Street were included in the original proposal. However, neither will be implemented as part of the final scheme due to lack of public support.
Trees
As part of the improvement scheme, around 8 – 10 new trees will be planted in the immediate Seven Dials area. This is in response to the consultation exercises where local people said they would like to see more greenery and vegetation in the area. The planting areas will be constructed during the main construction works and the new trees will be planted in late summer or autumn time. Once in place, the new trees will complement the newly improved area and will provide significant benefit both in terms of visual appearance and additional habitat for wildlife.
We are looking into options around the large Elm tree on the corner of Vernon Terrace and a decision will be made by Environment Transport & Sustainability Committee on 30 April. The report for the committee meeting is available here [PDF 32mb] and the proposal is to keep the tree in place. A formal decision will be made by the Committee at the meeting.
Public consultation
The consultation was very well attended with over 1,400 people attending four public exhibitions, as well as an additional meeting with the Clifton Montpellier Powis Community Alliance.
Officers gave a presentation about the amended design at a public meeting on Monday 17 December at St Luke’s Church which was attended by over 150 members of the general public, Councillor Davey and Councillor Kitcat also presented at the meeting.
Contact us
You can email sevendials@brighton-hove.gov.uk or call (01273) 290487 for more information.