Brighton's North Street Closure Latest — Nearly 30 Bus Routes Disrupted

Late yesterday (April 11) authorities in Brighton confirmed that a major route through the city will remain closed for most of Friday.

But a leading councillor praised the resilience of residents, workers and business staff, calling it part of a "massive citywide effort".

North Street and some surrounding roads were closed while urgent repairs continued to the roof of Boots.

However, Brighton and Hove City Council said it is hoped to reopen the road this afternoon.

Strong winds during Storm Kathleen earlier this week were being blamed for causing damage to the roof of the Boots’ building in the city centre.

Officials said this has resulted in an unsafe structure which is at risk of detaching.

A spokesperson said:

"Any panels falling onto the road below would present a very real and serious hazard to both pedestrians and vehicles."

Road closures are in place on North Street and Windsor Street to ensure that the public don’t enter areas that may put them at risk.

They are likely to remain in place until after lunchtime today. Many businesses are also closed.

Councillor Trevor Muten, Chair of the Transport & Sustainability Committee, said:

"This has had a significant impact on the whole city centre, causing major disruption to people, traffic, buses and businesses.

"Public safety is our biggest priority so it’s vital we’ve done everything we can to minimise the risk.

"There has been a massive citywide effort to ensure everyone’s safety and to keep the city moving.

"Teams from the council, bus companies, fire service and police have worked together to close roads, rephase traffic lights to minimise congestion, divert buses, put safety barriers up and keep the public informed.

"Thank you to everyone who has stepped in to keep people safe and get things resolved as quickly as possible.

"And special thanks to residents and businesses for their continued cooperation and patience.    

"We are working with Boots who are responsible for making the roof structure secure.

"We’ve stressed to Boots the urgency of these repairs and of re-opening the roads affected for pedestrians, bus passengers and businesses."

While roads are closed, traffic and buses are being diverted to use alternative routes.

Brighton and Hove Buses said that services that terminate at Churchill Square will now be terminating and restarting from the Old Steine.

Some coastal services due to terminate at Brighton Station will be terminating at theSealife Centre.

The routes affected are:  1, 1A, 2, 5, 5A, 5B, 7, Coaster 12, 12A, 12X, 14, 14A, 14C, 18, 21, 22, 24, 26, Coaster Local 27, Regency 28, Regency 29, 29A, 29B, 46, 48, 49, 50, Brighton Sightseeing.

Precise details are available by clicking here.

Safety barriers and Boots’ staff are in place to prevent the public from walking close to the unsafe structure and putting themselves at risk, with limited access being given to residents and businesses who need it.

Council officers have delivered letters to residents and businesses in the affected areas to explain the risk and keep them updated on expected timescales.

Many businesses in close proximity have chosen to close to keep their customers and staff safe.

The local authority reported that its officers have been working closely with Boots, the bus companies, the fire service and the police to make sure the area is safe, keep residents and businesses informed and to ensure the road can be re-opened as quickly as possible.