Brighton & Hove: Controversial Seafront Cycle Lane Will Stay

Councillors have agreed to keep a seafront cycle lane and consult on future changes.

The cycle lane was installed in place of a lane of other traffic on the A259 on the south side of King’s Road, Brighton, and Kingsway, Hove, in August last year.

Transport Minister Grant Shapps announced government funding of £2 billion on May 9, 2020 for pop up cycle lanes and wider pavements.

The lane was one of Brighton and Hove City Council’s active travel measures during the coronavirus pandemic.

A report to the council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee yesterday (Tuesday 16 November) said that the number of cyclists using the seafront cycle lanes had risen 51 per cent.

It said that 2,119 were using it daily in March this year, compared with 1,400 in March 2018.

In June this year, the number of daily cyclists had increased by 85 per cent to 4,897, compared with 2,641 in June 2019.

The report also said that there were indications that the new cycle lane had improved safety.

Labour and Green councillors agreed to approve the legal change that formally makes the cycle lane permanent.

Conservative councillors abstained but called for long-term options to replace the temporary infrastructure along with the other two political parties.

Councillor Robert Nemeth said that the current lane was “worse” than what was there before and wanted changes before it was made permanent.

He said:

“It’s not very logical, it’s ugly, it’s potentially discriminatory and some of that is at least recognised because, hopefully, we’re going to vote to redesign it. I don’t want to vote to make permanent the current one.”

He suggested a look at using the prom as it did not have junctions.

Green councillor Jamie Lloyd said that he understood Councillor Nemeth’s point about the promenade but he was against the idea of a shared space with pedestrians.

Councillor Lloyd said:

“It doesn’t work when you have people and bikes in the same place. Bikes need to reclaim road space.

“If we want to reduce private car use, increase active travel, it’s been shown this is the way forward.”

Labour councillor Nancy Platts asked if the council could move disabled bays along Hove seafront, which have the cycle lane between them and the pavement.

In June, disability rights campaigner Pippa Hodge told the committee that disabled groups were horrified to see the bays offset from the pavement.

Councillor Platts said:

“We know blue badge members highlighted what they felt was a dangerous part of the scheme.

“Safe access for the blue badge holders needs to be a priority as it is for all other users. One solution is to push the bays back alongside the pavement.”

She was told that council officials were monitoring road safety and looking at various options – and five more disabled parking bays were planned along the seafront.

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By Jade McLean:

The decision comes after Brighton & Hove City Council's Capability Fund was docked by 25% by the Government last Friday.

It's after opposition councillors voted to remove the other controversial cycle lane on the Old Shoreham Road.

The docking is essentially a slap on the wrist from the Department for Transport for wasting government money.

The Capability Fund does not directly fund the Old Shoreham Road, but is designed to support staffing, resources and training that help to develop behaviour change initiatives related to walking and cycling.

Cllr Amy Heley commented:

“We are of course pleased that the government continues to provide funding for our active travel projects, in recognition of the dedicated efforts we’re making with council officials to improve  accessible walking and cycling options in our city.

“However it’s disappointing to see confirmation of our concerns that the committee decision to remove the Old Shoreham Road cycle lane will detrimentally affect council finances. The Department for Transport was committed to awarding Brighton & Hove funding as part of the ‘Capability Fund,’ but has now cut the amount they will offer in response to the Old Shoreham Road removal. It’s clear that the government have looked unfavourably on this decision and used this when considering whether to provide the council with other, separate funds.

“This is significant at a time when budgets are being squeezed more than ever, and when councils are fighting hard to secure funding from central government, and to create jobs and training.

“We will continue to make clear our ambition to improve walking and cycling infrastructure for all of our residents, particularly in areas that serve local schools, and encourage government officials to reconsider. We urge other committee members to work with us to achieve this goal and secure the funding our city and residents deserve.”