Work will take place on Sunday 10 May, to create a new temporary cycle lane on the A270 Old Shoreham Road, freeing up space for cyclists in response to government guidance on physical distancing and changes to how people are currently travelling around the city.
The cycle lane will be painted in both directions from its junction with Hangleton Road in west Hove, to The Drive, where it will meet with the existing cycle lane network. The new cycle lane will be approximately 1.7 miles in length, 3.4 miles in total.
It will be in use from Monday 11 May and resident access to driveways will be unaffected.
Changing travel patterns
Coronavirus (Covid-19) has significantly changed travel patterns and the way people are using roads in Brighton & Hove. We have seen an increase in the number of people cycling for pleasure and exercise, there are fewer journeys being made by car and more of us are choosing to walk, rather than drive, short distances. We expect this to continue even after current movement restrictions are eased and these changes will give people the opportunity to cycle more and use their cars less.
Cycle lanes along Old Shoreham Road will provide a viable alternative for residents in the west of the city who currently do not have any access to cycling facilities. It connects the scheme implemented from Dyke Road to The Drive and The Drive cycle lanes to the seafront.
Temporary signs will line the road to ensure motorists are aware of the changes and that they are a temporary measure. The cycle lanes will break at junctions and bus stops to ensure traffic flow remains unhindered and should help to calm traffic and reduce vehicle speeds on the road, which we know has been an ongoing concern to local residents. There is already evidence in other parts of the country that speeding has become more of an issue since movement restrictions were first introduced.
Safe and respectful travel
The A270 Old Shoreham Road is a vital route for many key workers in the city and whilst officers have worked quickly to design these changes, care has been taken to ensure safety risks have been identified and managed. We would always encourage safe and respectful travel between cyclists and vehicle drivers.
Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, Anne Pissaridou said: “Creating this temporary cycle lane will have both health and environmental benefits for the residents of Brighton & Hove.
“Sustainable forms of transport are a key component to tackling our climate crisis and anything we can do to encourage people to cycle will have long term benefits to our city.
“I would again urge cyclists and motorists to travel safely and respectfully during this temporary change to a key route through our city.”
Opposition spokesperson, councillor Pete West said: “Further to concerns from residents about speeding and high volumes of car traffic, this is very welcome news.
"As the city continues to tackle the impact of Covid-19, measures that enhance the space available for cycling and potentially also reduce vehicle traffic at this time will be hugely beneficial."
James Cleeton, Sustrans’ Director for the South of England, said: “We welcome Brighton and Hove City Council’s commitment to making more space available for people to cycle safely whilst physical distancing measures are in place.
“The decision to reallocate space on Old Shoreham Road in this way is bold and reflects the vital role that walking and cycling have to play in the UK’s adaptation to and recovery from Covid-19. This measure is important for public health reasons, as it will enable key workers to travel around more safely and makes it easier for people to take their daily exercise without coming into close contact with others.
“We hope that more local authorities will implement measures like this, providing safe spaces for their residents to move around without the need to jump in their cars.”
