Western Road will reopen to buses both ways next month, ending a controversial diversion through the Seven Dials.
Brighton and Hove City Council says it’s now confident buses will be able to travel both ways from Monday 14 August, or before, with temporary traffic lights put in place instead.
Western Road will be closed overnight from August to January.
And roadworks in Upper North Street caused by damaged water mains are also due to end today – with the bus company understood to not be planning to use that diversion any more.
Council leader Bella Sankey said: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to bring forward the reopening of Western Road ahead of schedule.
“We know the diversion has been disruptive for the residents and bus passengers and I’d like to thank them for their patience during the work.
“The improvements to Western Road are already beginning to take shape and I’m really looking forward to seeing the finished result for this very busy part of the city.”
Buses were initially diverted via Upper North Street, but since that closed because of the damaged water mains, buses have instead been diverted via the Seven Dials, causing delays to services across the city.
Residents of the roads initially used for the diversion are taking the council to court over a temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO) which removed the weight restriction in Upper North Street allowing buses to be diverted along it.
A crowdfunder has raised almost £5,000 to cover their legal costs.
But with a first court date scheduled for Thursday 20 July, which will be to schedule a date for the full hearing, their case is now unlikely to be heard before the road is reopened.
Meanwhile, the council will be removing and replacing the order with a new one expected to come into place on Thursday 27 July which will mean that buses will no longer be diverted via Upper North Street.
The new schedule will see remaining pavement and road resurfacing work between Montpelier Road and Churchill Square to December, with the redesign of the junction with Dyke Road and work opposite Churchill Square due to happen from January to June next year. This may be subject to change.
The council intends to manage all remaining daytime work using temporary traffic lights. This hasn’t been practical earlier in the project because of the size and number of working areas.
However, there will be a need to close Western Road at night when completing the resurfacing work. This will be done in stages between August and January.
The council will be writing to businesses and residents directly affected in advance.
The improvements to Western Road are designed to make the street a more attractive place to shop and spend time in, as well as make it easier for people travelling through.
The changes include
- a resurfaced road
- resurfaced and tidier pavements
- a simpler road layout
- improved pedestrian crossings
- more cycle parking, seating, and tree planting
- new street lighting
The changes also include redesigning the Dyke Road junction with Western Road. This will reduce waiting times for buses and pedestrians here and at the Clock Tower.
Meanwhile, there is the dismal Imperial Arcade: deadsville.
Which Party’s Councillors let the area rot for many years?? Oh yes, the Greens!!
Tell me, how long were the Greens in the majority on the Council?
More good work from the Labour council 🙂
IMO the two big problems with Western Road are the number of buses that travel along it and illegal parking .
It’s almost the same as the North Road upgrade . Bus passengers spend ages getting into Churchill Square because they’re held up in a traffic jam of half empty buses. Having narrowed the road to about two bus widths the designers paint a bike lane down the middle. The only people who are reckless enough to use the bike lane are Deliveroos on illegal ebikes.
So imagine the artist impression of Western Rd chockfull with two lanes of buses held up by illegal parking and pedestrians being run over by e-bikes travelling at 30mph and look how much it cost
Jon
Hmm, Buses bring passengers into the city where the shops are. We have a large network of service’s coming into the city from almost every Estate around us and one main road, Western Road, so we can expect a high volume of buses in the town centre where the majority of passengers want to go.
We lack a proper bus station, but where that could go is another matter. I’d like to rip out West Street car park and build a bus and coach station there on a two or three level basis with access for disabled, parents and a cycle hub. Longer term, we could have a trams running from various points, the options for better transport are there.
You mention half empty buses, that means nothing being passengers are on and off all the time on busier routes, I’ve been on a full and standing bus all the way to town and when we got to the Old Steine, it cleared out leaving a hand full of passengers going into Churchill Square and remember a lot of service’s start from Churchill Square so an half empty bus means nothing.
Yes you’re correct, road narrowing has caused backlogs of buses unable to make progress, therefore ill thought out forward planning making public transport even less attractive as timetables can’t be achieved.
It’s a catch 22, what may improve one area has proven to create problems elsewhere as North Street, VG1/2, Brighton Station and 7 dials have proven, and I would guess Western Road will be added to the list.