Walking, cycling and accessibility improvements on the A259 

Councillors have approved the construction of walking, cycling and accessibility improvements to part of the A259. This is the section between Fourth Avenue and Wharf Road.

The scheme will make cycling along the seafront safer. It will increase the number of parking spaces for Blue Badge holders. It will also create more space for pedestrians and improve accessibility.

Members of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability (ETS) committee discussed a report on Tuesday 20 September. This recommended starting the construction phase and to procure the Works Contract. 

We have scheduled work to begin in the early part of 2023.

An artist's impression of the improvements at Victora Terrace, with a new cycle lane.

Improvements for everyone

The changes in the detailed design include:

  • reallocation of one lane of traffic to extend the westbound cycle lane, separating cyclists from motor vehicles from Fourth Avenue to Wharf Road
  • removal of the bus stop at Westbourne Villas South (Westbound) as part of rationalisation of bus stops within close vicinity to improve journey times
  • introduction of a Bus Boarder Hybrid Solution at bus stops along the route
  • improve visibility sight lines for pedestrians exiting from side access road by West Hove Lawns
  • increase of 26 parking spaces for Blue Badge Holders
  • provision of around 70 cycle parking spaces, 10% of which will provide for specially adapted bicycles
  • pedestrian space, including potential for outside seating along Victoria Terrace
  • raised table junctions on Medina Terrace, Sussex Road and King’s Esplanade to improve pedestrian access 
  • dropped kerbs to assist wheelchair users, mobility scooter, pushchairs and all pedestrians. 
  • three new loading bays in Victoria Terraces and the Kings Esplanade

Check out our video below about how more cycle lanes will help the city. 

Extensive consultation with residents and stakeholders 

The A259 scheme first went out to public consultation in February 2021. We conducted a second public consultation, with futher designs, between November 2021 and January of this year. 

Following feedback, the designs were further developed. The ETS committee  approved the scheme in March.

We advertised the planned changes to the Public Highway through the Traffic Regulation Order process. This gave residents and stakeholders a third opportunity to provide feedback. Details of this feedback can be found in the report. 

About the plans

View the plans for the Active Travel Scheme.

Previous improvements to the A259

In spring 2020, we secured funding through the government’s Active Travel Fund. This allowed us to make walking and cycling improvements to the A259. This is the iconic seafront space in Brighton & Hove. Thousands of residents and visitors use it all year round. 

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

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

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

In July 2021 there was a special meeting of the ETS committee. They agreed that the council should consult and engage further with the businesses and residents directly impacted by the plans for the area.

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

Have a look at a cycle journey using the cycle lane between West Street and Fourth Avenue: