Valley Gardens nominated for major project award
One of Brighton & Hove’s newest and most picturesque open spaces has been nominated for a top award.
Phases 1 & 2 of the Valley Gardens Project, which has transformed the area from St Peter’s Church to the Old Steine, is up for the Major Project Award at the UK Highways Awards 2021.
We will find out if the project has won at an awards ceremony in London on 20 October.
Park-style setting in urban area
The two-year, £11 million project was completed last summer paving the way for residents and visitors to enjoy its improved open space and better, safer routes for road users, walking, cycling and public transport.
In the spring, we saw the full impact of the 135 new trees, wildflower and perennial planting and green areas which create the park-style setting within a busy urban area of the city.
In all, Valley Gardens contains:
- 135 new trees
- 2,900m2 of additional green space
- 1,300m2 of wildflower meadow
- 37,000 new plants
- New footways, seating and lighting throughout
- 17,800m2 of resurfaced roads
- 560m segregated cycle routes
- 1500m of shared and on-street cycle facilities
- Two new public squares and event spaces
Phase three of the Valley Gardens Project, which incorporates the area from the Old Steine to the seafront, is scheduled to begin construction in 2022.
Hugely challenging project
The award submission also highlighted some of the huge challenges the team faces during the 24 month-long programme of work, including making sure public transport, pedestrians and traffic could still travel through the area while the work was being done.
They also had to deal with unknown and historic underground infrastructure and listed and historical buildings.
Already a great success
Chair of the Valley Gardens Working Group, councillor Steve Davis said: “The city has spent the last year getting to know and love this new look part of the city. The whole project has been a great success.
“The new trees, flowers and open spaces make it a wonderful place to walk through or relax in and there’s plenty of space for pedestrians, cyclists, buses and taxis to access, not to mention public events.
“This was a part of the city that lacked access to green space but is now a real asset for residents and I can’t wait for phase three of the project to begin next year.
“Valley Gardens is an example of how we can transform a space into something beautiful, sustainable and practical and I wish everyone involved the best of luck at the awards.”
Online survey
We're currently asking residents, commuters, businesses and visitors what they think of Valley Gardens by completing an online survey.
The survey is open until 24 October.
