A campaign group has criticised the council’s decision to push ahead with a £13 million revamp of the Old Steine road layout in Brighton.
The decision was made days before members of the Valley Gardens Forum were due to meet a leading councillor on Saturday (13 January) to discuss concerns about the design.
Their concerns include the proposed scrapping of the Aquarium roundabout, replacing it with a T junction and traffic lights, as part of “Valley Gardens Phase 3”.
But yesterday (Tuesday 9 January), Labour-run Brighton and Hove City Council said that it had reviewed the scheme, made some adjustments and would now move forward with it.
The Valley Gardens Forum had been due to meet Labour councillor Trevor Muten at the weekend so members were shocked to learn of the council’s decision to push ahead with the scheme.
They were also disappointed that little would change after the eight-month review despite having held many meetings with councillors and officials over the past few years.
They believe that the proposed removal of the roundabout would result in increased congestion, as forecast in a report by experts from consultants Mott MacDonald, and so increase air pollution.
The Aquarium roundabout is at the southern end of the A23 where it meets the A259 coast road and is used by thousands of vehicles a week.
But council visualisations of the new junction show it as almost traffic-free in contrast with the extra congestion forecast by Mott MacDonald.
Other issues include “cutting off” the eastern side of central Brighton as well as changes to parking and loading bays.
Valley Gardens Phase 3 is the final part of a road layout revamp from St Peter’s Church to the seafront, aimed at creating a “linear park”.
Work was due to start on Phase 3 last summer after a final public consultation was completed early last year and the final scheme was approved by councillors last March.
The first and second phase cost about £11 million. Work was completed in 2020 after two years, with most traffic now confined to the eastern side of the area and buses travelling on the western side.
Bus gates were introduced as part of the scheme. They have proved notorious, with tens of thousands of drivers missing the signs and receiving fines, generating millions of pounds of revenue for the council.
The final phase of the project – from Edward Street to the seafront – has attracted £6 million of funding from the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Councillor Muten, who chairs the council’s Transport and Sustainability Committee, said: “I am delighted that we’re now at a stage where we can press ahead with delivering this fantastic project for the city.
“It was right that we asked for a review last summer to ensure that we were going to give residents, businesses and visitors the best possible scheme which delivered on its objectives and worked for everyone.
“Phase 3 will offer a wonderful open green space in the Old Steine and extend the public park that was delivered through Phases 1 and 2.
“The transport improvements will make it much safer for pedestrians and cyclists while ensuring flow of buses and road traffic through this busy part of our city.
“We are confident that delivering Valley Gardens Phase 3 will complete the centrepiece of our amazing city that residents and visitors alike will be very proud of.”
The Valley Gardens Forum said: “More than anything, this will define (council leader) Bella Sankey’s Labour administration.
“In the same way, the i360 is rightly or wrongly credited to former Green leader Jason Kitcat.
“Councillor Mutten’s comments make clear his proud ownership of Valley Gardens Phase 3.
“For everyone’s sake in the city, we’ve got to hope the evidence was wrong – and the eye-watering cost and two-year disruption of Valley Gardens Phase 3 will be worth it.”
The Aquarium roundabout is at the southern end of the A23 where it meets the A259 coast road and is used by thousands of vehicles a week.
Council visualisations of the new junction show it as almost traffic-free in contrast with the extra congestion forecast by Mott MacDonald.
Where will the work start?
What have Labour actually done in the 8 month pause? Have they addressed the predicted extra congestion by the independent advisors? No. Have they looked at better segregation between pedestrians and the new cycle lane? No. Have they looked at changing the scheme in order to reduce the cost to the local taxpayer of £6.84 million? No. Have the spoken to the Tourism Alliance to address their concerns that this could disrupt two summer seasons as well potential long term damage? No. As the VGF have said this could well be what defines Cllr Sankey’s administration who we were told would listen but they same to be adopting some very ‘green’ traits of listening only to what they want too hear.
Carried on committing treason against their own electorate is what they’ve done. They’ve been very busy acting against us for the last 8 months, particularly the transport department churning out one plan after another to block the city’s roads so they can bring in emissions charging.
You can’t commit treason to an electorate, silly.
Not sure what the point is of this Labour administration. They seem as inept as the Greens. I wish we could have an administration that actually represented the interests of residents and businesses instead one that just launches into pointless vanity schemes instead of doing the basics well such as sorting out our parks, graffiti and parking.
All three of those aspects you mention currently have active projects running to improve them. Might be worth checking to make sure you’re not saying something uninformed next time.
Which projects are these and are you involved?
Don’t see any sign of it. In Brunswick Square residents are expected to do almost all the garden or put up with 8 foot weeds and the anti-so oak behaviour this attracted. We used to have beautiful gardens and parks 15 years ago until Labour and Greens got their hands on the city and just wasted money on pointless vanity projects like this. If Cityparks can’t be bothered or don’t have the resources to maintain the existing parks and gardens why on earth is the council expanding their remit.
Delaybour
For many years the council have shown they know nothing about road and traffic planning. I shall continue to avoid the place
When this becomes the next big white elephant after the i360 and totally blocks up the traffic. And emergency vehicles fail to get through to help people. The labour council will be held to account, for yet again wasting public money. And if someone in hove dies of an heart attack, the family will sue the council. If the ambulance said they could not get through the junction.
Labour are obviously taking a leaf out of the previous regimes books and blondly going ahead with it despite there being major concerns from the electorate and massive funding gaps. I suspect they know what the reality will be, i.e. even more traffic at a standstill ruining that part of town, not the nice green space the rose tinted glasses wearing planners are trying to sell!
Derek thought he was so important but Labour have stitched him up too. Now he knows how the rest of us feel with this sham consultation for this unwanted project.
Board of hearing this now, but more board of driving over that bit of road that is falling to pieces so let’s face it, anything is an improvement by this stage. It’s a terrible layout anyway so hopefully this is an improvement
Labour are as bad as the greens. Gridlock followed by congestion charging which has been their plan all along.
Vote for independent councillors
Vote for accountability not dogma
The drama removing a roundabout is causing. 10 years after the funding was secured and 6 years after it was due to be completed.
You’d think it was the Taj Mahal being removed if you listen to Valley Gardens forum
Good point Jon. Valley Gardens1 and 2 work really well.
If you’re a cyclist. As a pedestrian/bus user, Valley Gardens offers nothing.
As one of all three I have no clue what you’re talking about, it’s a massive improvement for us.
Exactly. Attractive to go through too.
I’ll happily enlighten you. I don’t walk in Valley Gardens for pleasure, as a pedestrian I just want to get from A to B. So working in Circus Street to get the 5A home, I first have to cross the super highway, then as for some unknown reason there is no longer a bus stop outside the King and Queen I would have to walk to St Peter’s Church. After the super highway, I then have to traverse the lovely, busy, straight cycle lanes, but the footpaths meander through the gardens with no direct path across or through. So I then have to walk across the unkempt grass that can be wet and muddy and/or full of dogs fouling everywhere and the obligatory drinkers. 10 minutes required from office to bus stop. And all this is before some event restricts access to parts and I find myself having to walk around the perimeter. Nothing pleasant about it.
@Austin
Aside from the missing bus stop you just described everything that was there before.
@Austin just double checked and there never was a bus stop outside the King and Queen..
Incorrect, if you look closely, you will see where the bus stop was positioned outside the Q & K.
Oh come off it. Circus Street to St Peters is 400 metres. There is a pelican crossing to get across Grand Parade, a footpath that cuts across at an angle to Gloucester Street, then a wide pavement. You make it sound like a Royal Marine obstacle course.
No, I made it sound exactly like it is. Your experience may be different, this is mine.
Getting to the seafront will be safer due to new cycle lanes
Safer cycle lanes means people (drivers, bus riders) who previously felt unsafe cycling will now cycle.
More people cycling means less people on the roads
Less people on the roads means less traffic
Less traffic means faster busses.
Faster busses means more people will use them
More bus use means less car use
Less car use means less traffic
Meaning that people who actually NEED cars (Tradespeople, disabled people, etc..) can get places.
You’re being shortsighted.
It’s not about a roundabout, its about the entire scheme and if spending £6.85 million of local taxpayers money on this actually makes sense in the current economic climate.
email Mark Prior who is the Director of Transport at BHCC if you think this is a stupid idea. Currently this is estimated to cost local taxpayers £6m – how can the Council justify this when they are claiming poverty and we are all in a cost of living crisis?
I’m going to email him to tell him it is an excellent idea. Thanks for the tip.
Yes , Ted – what an excellent idea! Creating a £6m bill for the local taxpayer! You must have a degree in Economics.
FYI – Prior The Liar doesn’t condescend to answer emails
Who is this Ted of which you speak? I am very proud to be an acronym, not a pseudonym.
I think it’s a waste of my money?? If it is,,and I think it is we should be asked about where best our precious money is spent.there has been to many different parties involved since we amalgamated boroughs and became a city and not one party,whether it be greens ,labour,conservative or who ever has done anything for us, the residents, or for commerce, or for the good of the city of Brighton and hove, there has been the dreaded developers whom have blighted the sky line and left a massive carbon footprint,then one by one every single time,we get a change of whom runs this place we have financial incompetence at the highest level, the abominations of circus street, first and second phase of the disaster of London road and lewes rd,the dereliction of the arches and the Stein gardens the massive over spend on hove town hall that complete destruction of all parks and gardens ,the total collapse of all roads and pavements, what this council and the previous council are good at is to make life a complete misery for its residents,.Theres a perfectly good example of roundabouts is THE NEW ONE AT SHOREHAM AIRPORT A27 FLY OVER,,OOPS
Just Google ‘Ted Bundy’ …you halfwit!
Or when we are already paying one of the highest levels of council tax in the country already.
Nice. Again money being wasted on a useless project There is nothing wrong with the roundabout as it is Whilst main roads in Brighton are falling to bits Look at Edward street from to to bottom it’s more like a rough track which ambulances have to travel every day
Cyclist don’t like roundabouts as they have to yield to other road users. This whole scheme was designed by an echo-chamber of pro-cycling anti-motorist activists working with Green Party councillors.
And the cycle-centric , car-hating managers in the Transport Department
You’re in a city. If you want to have a comfortable car-centric life move to suburbia or Milton Keynes.
When does the work start then
Deaf dumb and blind that’s this council ,there greens by the back door,as I said last time they hate the motorists,,full stop,but we can protest by not paying for it,if its public money then we have a right of a say so
Fantastic, about time this got finished. It’s so difficult to cycle down to the seafront, which should be a lovely ride. Hopefully this final phase will change this, as the revamped valley gardens are an absolute delight. Although it does look like the cycle paths won’t be going through the trees and park anymore, which is a huge shame. I’m just happy though to have something at last.
Hope you enjoy all the fumes created by the gridlock!
It is likely that the years of work required by this scheme will make it much more difficult for vehicles to get to and turn onto the A259 from the town centre. (Don’t know what it’ll be like afterwards). Therefore it is probable that more and more vehicles wanting to head eastwards will be using the Coombe Road/Bear Road area to access Warren Road and then either Falmer Road or Wilson Ave to get back onto the coast road. More noise, pollution and congestion for the residents – It seems that no-one on Brighton council ever considers the effect that moving traffic into residential areas has on the residents.
Councillor Muttten you are an ideot saying visitors will be proud of Phase 3.There won’t be any visitors!Do you really think visitors walk around saying “ooh l am really proud of the Brighton Council” NO!.So this is your baby and you will go down in history as the Councillor that ruined Brighton. This roundabout is an iconic part of Brighton history that you and your cronies want to delete for ever.You just don’t care about the majority of businesses and residents that DO NOT WANT THIS !
I’d love for there to be some weirdo who looks at that spot and goes “This should be a roundabout, I’m going home!”. What a silly comment to make.
Thank god the madness is over and it’s finally going through.
As a cyclist this roundabout was a near death experience in anything other than the lightest traffic. As a pedestrian it was a massive wall between the pier and VG.
Car Delenda Est.
Seems to me very few cyclists have complained about this roundabout, very few incidents involving cyclists have bee reported at this location.
You say it was a near death experience yet I have seen scores of cyclists using this roundabout day after day at all times who seem to manage quite well.
Hmm, a massive wall between the Pier and Grand Parade (it’s proper name), last time I was in that area (about four hours ago) there was something called a pavement and places with lights where I managed to cross all the roads.
It’s not a great argument since Westbound or Eastbound does not require to enter the roundabout at all to cross it. There will be some improvements for pedestrians going North/South.
Once the roundabout has gone we look forward to congestion and bad air quality.
Whoever passed this through should be shot!
Just as bad as the current corrupt Tory Govt, no accountability, no matter how stupid the outcome!
More naysayer rubbish. The same objections were made to the earlier phases. Phases 1 & 2 have improved valley gardens immeasurably.
Gareth
Improved Valley Gardens, have you seen the state of it lately.
Buses delayed, Traffic congested around St Peters place, high risk of incidents. Buses, Taxis, delivery vehicles, disabled all converge in one small section along with ordinary traffic accessing Trafalgar street, more congestion and more pollution, think that’s and improvement, dream on.
I agree with you Gareth, people have short memories of what it used to be like. It flows much better than it used to.
Benjamin
What flows better?
Can’t be the main traffic being there’s congestion around St Peters Place. Can’t be the buses due to being stuck at St Peters Place.
Please enlighten me to what actually flows better?
When will someone understand that moving traffic is so much better then standing .Keep making road narrow more bad air
We should insist BHCC do a before and after air quality analysis, just to show what a success the project has been!
That will not happen, as it will expose the lies we are told as justification..
The only people to gain from this is the shareholders of road construction firms and over paid so called experts who take the millions of tax payers money for a hair brained scheme. Neo Liberalism wins yet another contract off the stupidity of those who started this ball rolling. No wonder we live in a country fueled by greed not need.
You do know that they are building a cycle lane right?
You do know that they are building a cycle lane right?
What a load of absolute Bollocks worked for years now will just be one big traffic jam roads are shit council tax has just gone up again along with massive hike in council rent supposed to be affordable housing Not any more just the same as the greens not interested in public opinion as long as they are happy fucking joke bullshit baffles brains
Cllr MUTEN !