Changes to the road layout in Rottingdean High Street are being trialled in a bid to improve air quality.
The new layout is being introduced by Brighton & Hove City Council in partnership with Rottingdean Parish Council, and work will start on 25 October. It includes:
The chicane aims to encourage a free flow in the narrowest bit of the High Street where the air quality is worst. The yellow hatched box on the southbound lane should prevent vehicles from waiting in the same area and the ban on right turns out of West Street will prevent vehicles blocking the northbound lane.
The changes will be in place for up to 18 months and residents and business owners are being encouraged to share their views within the first six months.
Rottingdean has been the subject of an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) since 2013 as levels of nitrogen dioxide have exceeded the statutory limit set by the government. Vehicles are the main source of the emissions. Rottingdean Parish Council and Brighton & Hove City Council formed a joint action group in response to serious public concerns about this issue.
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The proposals seek to address air quality issues in the section of the High Street south of Park Street where homes are particularly near to the kerb. In this area, nitrogen dioxide exceeds EU and UK regulations, presenting a health hazard to for residents.
During the trial, additional air quality monitoring technology will be installed to establish the success of the scheme in improving air quality in the area.
Councillor Anne Pissaridou, chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee said: “We are pleased to have worked with Rottingdean Parish councillors to install with these practical measures to tackle the very serious air quality issues in the village.
“The health and wellbeing of our residents is paramount and reductions in vehicle emissions, particularly nitrogen dioxide, are essential if we are to improve the city’s air quality.
"This scheme is part of our wider campaign to reduce emissions which also includes investing in sustainable travel and public transport, developing electric vehicle infrastructure and encouraging behavioural change.”
Councillor Sue John, Chair of Rottingdean Parish Council commented: “Air pollution in our High Street has long been a concern, posing a significant health risk to residents and visitors and deterring people from using the shops.
"There are no easy solutions but we hope that these measures, together with greater take-up of electric vehicles and buses will reduce air pollution and make this a healthier and more pleasant environment.”
Visit our Rottingdean High Street air quality trial scheme page for more information, including a map of the trial area.
You will be able to make comments between 18 October 2019 and 18 April 2020 when TRO-30-2019 appears on the Traffic Regulation Order proposals page.