Current status of A23 Active Travel Scheme Phase 1
Members of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability (ETS) committee approved the A23 Active Travel Scheme Phase 1 Detailed Design in March 2022. They authorised officers to advertise the relevant Traffic Regulation Order(s) for a number of proposed parking and waiting amendments to accommodate the revised design in the A23 Phase 1 area. Read more about the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee meeting on 15 March 2022.
The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO-26-2023) was advertised on 9 May 2023 for 21 days and responses were presented to the Transport and Sustainability (T&S) Committee in October 2023.
Members of the Transport and Sustainability Committee approved the making of the Traffic Regulation Order. They delegated authority to officers to commence procurement of a Works Contractor for the A23 Active Travel Scheme Phases 1a and 1b.
Phases of the A23 Active Travel Scheme
In the early stages of the scheme, it was separated into 3 phases.
- Phase 1 – The junction of Preston Road (A23) and Argyle Road to south of the junction of Preston Road (A23).
- Phase 2 – The junction of London Road (A23) and Preston Road to the junction of London Road (A23) and The Deneway.
- Phase 3 – The junction of London Road (A23) and the Deneway to just south of the junction of London Road (A23) and Mill Road.
The focus is currently on Phase 1 of the route. Phases 2 and 3 will be subject to further design and consultation.
Phase 1 has been separated into 2 phases.
- Phase 1a – The junction of Preston Road (A23) and Argyle Road to north of the Preston Road (A23) and Stanford Avenue junction.
- Phase 1b – North of the Preston Road (A23) and Stanford Avenue junction to south of the Preston Road (A23) and Preston Drove junction.
Aims of the A23 Active Travel Scheme
The A23 Active Travel Scheme aims to improve a key transport corridor for the city and make it a safer and more attractive environment for all who use it.
On completion, the finished scheme will:
- enable and encourage active and inclusive travel such as walking, cycling and wheeling through new and updated infrastructure
- improve the overall experience for public transport users
- upgrade key junctions and improve road safety for all users
- improve access to green spaces, heritage attractions and leisure locations situated along the A23
Phase 1 plan for the A23 Active Travel Scheme
The Phase 1 plan includes:
- new cycle lane provision, including dedicated northbound and southbound tracks and a bidirectional section
- footway widening and improvements to pedestrian facilities throughout
- new and upgraded crossing infrastructure at key locations
- reduction of traffic lanes between Argyle Road and Springfield Road
- new side road entry treatments and junction upgrades
- bus stop improvements and rationalisation of bus stops within close vicinity to improve journey times
The map below shows the areas of Phase 1 improvements.
Reasons for making the changes
The A23 is identified as a high-priority strategic route for improvement in the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), a strategic plan which identifies routes and areas in the city for improvement over the next 10 years.
The A23 forms part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 20, between Brighton and Pyecombe, but the current cycle infrastructure on the route falls short of the current national design standards for cycling (LTN 1/20). These standards promote high-quality cycle facilities, including protecting and separating cyclists from vehicles and pedestrians to ensure safety and promote an increase in cycling.
Improving accessibility and safety
New and upgraded crossing facilities and pedestrian spaces will make crossing the A23 and accessing the attractions on either side of the road easier for all.
In Phase 1, improvements include a new toucan crossing between Preston Park and popular hotel accommodation along with a new signalised pedestrian crossing between Preston Park and Preston Park Rockery, a municipal rock garden which has previously been awarded the best park in England.
Provide sustainable travel options to key destinations along the route
Through new and upgraded active travel infrastructure we can provide residents and visitors with the ability to choose sustainable forms of transport to reach the variety of destinations along the A23 Active Travel Scheme area including:
- popular green spaces such as Preston Park, Withdean Park and Patcham Peace Gardens
- sport and leisure facilities such as Withdean Sports Complex
- heritage attractions and listed buildings such as Preston Manor and Gardens
- Preston Park Railway Station
- shops, cafes, pubs and accommodation options
- local schools and medical centres
Watch the video below to find out more about travelling around the city by walking, cycling and using public transport.
Funding for the A23 Active Travel Scheme
The A23 Active Travel Scheme is being delivered as part of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Active Travel Fund (ATF).
This scheme forms part of the Tranche 2 works. Of the funding provided by the Department for Transport (DfT) £909,000 has been allocated to the A23 Active Travel Scheme.
We've also secured match funding from:
- Developer Section 106 contributions
- Brighton & Hove City Council’s Local Transport Plan fund
Active Travel Fund consultation
In February and March of 2021, a 6-week citywide non-statutory public consultation was undertaken on the Active Travel Fund – Tranche 2 schemes, of which the A23 Active Travel Scheme was one.
The results of this consultation were reported to the Environment, Transport and Sustainability (ETS) committee on 21 July 2021, along with preliminary designs for the A23 as part of the ‘Active Travel Fund’ report. Read more about the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee meeting on 21 July 2021.
The ETS Committee agreed to the preliminary design for the A23 scheme and instructed officers to undertake further public consultation and discussions with key stakeholders to inform design development.
Between October and December 2021, stakeholder engagement sessions were undertaken for Phase 1 of the A23 Active Travel Scheme to gather comments and feedback on the design. These comments fed into the detailed designs which were approved by the Environment, Transport and Sustainability (ETS) Committee in March 2022. Read more about the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee meeting on 15 March 2022.
Further stakeholder engagement took place in the spring of 2023 and statutory consultation as part of the Traffic Regulation Order took place in May and June of 2023 with feedback considered in the final design for Phase 1a and 1b which was approved at Transport and Sustainability (T&S) committee in October 2023. Read more about the Transport and Sustainability Committee meeting on 3 October 2023.
More information about the A23 Active Travel Scheme
If you have any questions about the A23 Active Travel Scheme, send an email to transport.projects@brighton-hove.gov.uk.