Walking, cycling and accessibility improvements on the A259 – have your say

Residents living near proposed walking, cycling and accessibility improvements to part of the A259 (seafront) are being given the chance to have their say on the plans from today (Monday 29 November).

A six-week consultation has been launched on proposals on the area between Fourth Avenue and Wharf Road, which include increasing pavement space, extending the protected westbound cycle lane and increasing the number of parking spaces for Blue Badge holders.

Residents in the area will soon be receiving information on these proposals through the post while information can also be found on our One Journey Better webpage.

As well as commenting on the plans online, we are also holding two drop-in information sessions at the King Alfred Leisure Centre where residents and local businesses can look at the proposals in more detail and speak to council officers. These will be held on:

  • Saturday, 4 December 2021 from 10am to 4pm
  • Tuesday, 7 December 2021 from 12 noon to 7pm

To request a paper copy or another format please email transport.projects@brighton-hove.gov.uk or call 01273 292480 and leave a message with your request.

Comments are being received until January 9.

"an artist image of a pavement with a cycle lane next to it with an image of a person on a large bike"

Co-Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee Amy Heley said: “I’m very pleased to see these plans to improve walking, cycling and accessibility along this part of the seafront and I would urge those residents and businesses impacted by the changes to have their say.

“We’ve seen a huge increase in the number of people choosing to travel by bike since the cycle lane between West Street and Fourth Avenue was installed and I’m confident the proposed extension will be just as popular, but this is about more than just that mode of transport.

“It’s just as important that we have looked at ways to improve the space for pedestrians, enable walking and address issues with accessibility, including adding to the number of parking spaces for Blue Badge holders. We want everyone to be able to travel safely and sustainably in Brighton & Hove and enjoy improvements to their local area.”

What are the proposals?

The walking, cycle and accessibility improvements will be formed of two sections, from Fourth Avenue to Hove Street and from Hove Street to Wharf Road 

They include:

  • Additional pedestrian space, including outside seating space
  • Raised table junctions and dropped kerbs to assist wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs
  • Extension of the westbound cycle lane with cyclists separated from motor vehicles
  • Additional cycle parking spaces, including space for larger and adapted bikes
  • Additional loading bays and parking spaces for Blue Badge holders. 

More details can be found on the consultation page.

Background

In spring 2020, we secured funding through the government’s Active Travel Fund to make walking and cycling improvements to the A259, the iconic seafront space in Brighton & Hove used by thousands of residents and visitors all year round.

In August 2020 we installed a temporary westbound cycle lane from West Street to Fourth Avenue. 

Since the cycle lane was installed the area has seen an 85% increase in cycling compared to 2019, with 4,897 trips recorded along this stretch on an average day during June 2021.

In February 2021, a public consultation was held which allowed people to comment on the temporary cycle lane between West Street and Fourth Avenue and proposals to improve the space between Fourth Avenue and Wharf Road.

At a special meeting of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability (ETS) committee in July 2021, members agreed that the council should consult and engage further with the businesses and residents directly impacted by the plans for the area between Fourth Avenue and Wharf Road.

In November 2021, councillors on the ETS committee agreed to make  the temporary cycle lane between West Street and Fourth Avenue permanent.

What happens next?

All comments received during the consultation will be carefully considered. The results will be reported to the council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee where decisions will be made.

 

Related news