Moving around our city, supporting businesses and how you can have your say
Over the last few weeks and months during the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been working hard to support the safe movement of people and help businesses to reopen their doors in a healthier, safer and stronger city.
This has included the reallocating of road space, new temporary cycle lanes and the widening of footways, all of which were part of our Urgent Response Action Plan, approved by the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee on 23 June 2020.
These changes were identified following the development of an Interim Covid-19 Response Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), designed to ensure a strategic and evidence-based approach to the work.
Supporting the reopening of hospitality
On 4 July, many pubs, restaurants, cafes and other hospitality businesses were given the green light to reopen.
To support this, we have closed some roads and widened pavements to support physical distancing near these venues.
Businesses now have six months to comment or object to these Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) on our website.
Gavin Stewart, Chief Executive of the Business Improvement District said: “Doing nothing to enable physical distancing and combating Covid-19 as we move into a reopening phase isn’t an option.
“These proposals are experimental, which means that they can be changed and developed to suit the city as we learn more about what the ‘new normal’ really looks like.
“Consultation is open until 9 January 2021, and we would encourage as many businesses to respond as possible because it is your input which will help create a new Brighton & Hove that works for everyone.”
Temporary changes to city transport and public spaces
We are also making changes to how people move around other parts of the city, including temporary cycle lanes on Old Shoreham Road, A23 and A259. Some of these have already been installed while others will be appearing in the coming weeks.
We’re now inviting residents to comment on these changes through our online survey on the temporary changes to travel and transport. We’re also keen to hear whether these changes have altered residents’ travel habits and behaviour.
Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, Anne Pissaridou said: “We are continuing to see changes in the way people are moving around the city. Walking and cycling have increased while car usage is down because more of us are still working from home.
“These temporary measures are supporting Brighton & Hove’s economic recovery by allowing local businesses to reopen safely in a Covid-19 secure environment.
“I am committed to making sure residents are asked their views on these changes. I would urge residents and businesses to have their say and I look forward to seeing the results."
Last month we were awarded over £650,000 to carry out this work following a successful bid to the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund.
More information about travel and transport around the city can be found on the Travel and Transport pages on our website.
