Roadworks update - July 2019

From time to time there is disruption to the city’s transport network while roadworks take place. These works are a necessary part of council-led improvement projects designed to simplify the road layout, upgrade traffic signal systems or carry out vital maintenance work such as repairing potholes and re-surfacing roads.

We also have to allow roadworks to take place to facilitate private developments and utilities works. These are important to ensure the safe and continued supply of water, gas and electricity to homes and businesses.

Over the next few months, there are a high number of works taking place across the city, which could lead to traffic disruption and delays in hot spot areas where significant works are taking place.

Plan your journey

We regularly update the roadworks.org website with information about planned roadworks that we know of in advance. Sometimes we facilitate emergency works at short notice and we add these to the Roadworks website as soon as we can.

Anyone travelling through the city is encouraged to use roadworks.org for the latest traffic and travel updates.

Council improvement schemes

Valley Gardens

Construction works are taking place on the roads, pavements and greens spaces that run from St Peter’s Church to Edward Street. This is to support the Valley Gardens project, which will see the creation of a new central public park, direct walking and cycling routes and a simplified road layout in this central part of the city.

From mid-August, we will begin the general traffic switch over to the eastern side of Valley Gardens. To manage this transition there will be:

  • no access to general traffic at York Place
  • signed diversion at Marlborough Place and North Road

Bus routes will be operating as normal through the area. We are working with local residents and businesses situated at York Place and in the surrounding area, to ensure they have access during the works.

Major city developments

Lewes Road

We are facilitating a number of private developments taking place in the Lewes Road area. The ongoing developments are:

Construction on these developments is underway. Over the next few months, works will take place to install two new signal junctions and changes to the layout of Lewes Road. These works will impact on general traffic including to cyclists due to lane closures. Buses will also be restricted due to closures of bus lanes. These new developments also need services including gas, water and power and the installing of these supplies may cause additional disruption. This phase of works is expected to be completed by December 2019.

Hollingdean Road

A housing development is under construction along Hollingdean Road that is almost at completion. The contractors will soon be dismantling and removing their tower crane from the site. The crane will be dismantled in sections and each section placed on articulated wagons, which will be parked on the road. To facilitate this, Hollingdean Road will need to be closed to traffic between Hughes Road and just north of the railway bridge for two days. The closure is scheduled to take place on Saturday 13 July and Sunday 14 July.

Facilitating utilities works

Montpelier Road

Southern Gas Network (SGN) is carrying out works to upgrade the gas network in Montpelier Road to ensure local properties continue to enjoy a safe and reliable gas supply. Engineers are working to replace old metal pipes with new plastic pipe as part of a programme of work developed with the Health and Safety Executive.

SGN are working in six phases along Montpelier Road between its junctions with Western Road and Denmark Terrace. To ensure everyone’s safety, roads are closed around the area as works progress northwards along Montpelier Road. Temporary traffic lights will continue to be installed around the site for safety and to manage traffic flow. Signed diversions are in place for all affected motorists. Works are expected to be completed in November 2019.

New England Road junction/New England Street

From Monday 5 August, works will be taking place at New England Street and New England Road to improve traffic signals and the road layout in the area. This work could impact on Preston Circus while temporary signals are in operation but this will be mitigated by the use of new traffic signals that can be connected into the council’s Urban Traffic Control system.

At the same time, Southern Gas Network (SGN) will be carrying out works to replace connection. We are working collaboratively with SGN to carry out both schemes at the same time, sharing cost and shortening duration, to minimise disruption and impact to residents. All works will be completed by the end of September 2019.