A vision for Valley Gardens

Find out more about our ongoing development of Valley Gardens.

Valley Gardens is the name given to the green spaces that run from St Peter’s Church to the Palace Pier. Our project area focuses on the green spaces and the surrounding roads and footways.

We refer to the northern section of Valley Gardens as Phase 1 (St Peter’s) and Phase 2 (Victoria Gardens).

Phase 3 refers to the area from the Old Steine to the Palace Pier roundabout. This forms the southern half of Valley Gardens.

Phase 3: Old Steine to Palace Pier

The Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee approved the plan for Phase 3 in January 2022.

The Phase 3 plan includes:

  • new separated cycle lanes, linking phases 1 & 2 of Valley Gardens to the seafront
  • improved access for public transport, supporting more reliable journey times
  • an extra taxi rank near the Palace Pier junction, as well as retaining two existing ranks
  • new obstruction-free (where possible) pavement design 
  • new trees and landscaping
  • sustainable outdoor event infrastructure
  • improved lighting around Old Steine Gardens (supported by a successful Safer Streets Funding bid)
  • an increase in parking bays for Blue Badge holders
  • a new junction to replace the existing Palace Pier roundabout, with crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists
  • an improved setting around the War Memorial
A graphic design of an ariel view of roads, cycle lanes, buildings, trees and a pier
An artist's impression of the improved war memorial area
An artist's impression of the new seperate cycle lanes towards the seafront

We've scheduled work on Phase 3 to start in Spring 2023 with completion in late 2024.

Funding Phase 3

We've secured £6 million Local Growth Fund (LGF) capital funding from the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). We have committed £1.84 million match funding.

Our projected costs have increased. This is due to:

  • delays to the project, in part because of the pandemic
  • changes to the design
  • an increase in construction and materials costs since 2019

Capital borrowing of up to £5 million will support the existing funding. 

Phases 1 and 2: St Peter’s Church to Edward Street

We completed Phases 1 and 2 of the Valley Gardens Project in September 2020.

The two-year, £11 million project paved the way for residents and visitors to enjoy its:

  • improved open space
  • better, safer routes for road users, walking, cycling and public transport.

The UK Highways Awards nominated the project for a Major Project Award in 2021.

The area contains:

  • 135 new trees
  • 2,900m2 of new 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

To contact us about the Valley Gardens project, send an email to transport.projects@brighton-hove.gov.uk.