[Brighton] Valley Gardens works

I remember the good times said:

On Monday the town centre is going to be closed down for a few months (you thought a bloke throwing bricks was bad?) whilst the council upgrade Valley Gardens. Those unsure this is the area where the Lady Boys pitch their tent. I've had a hard look at the plans and, from what I can see, they are dropping four lanes of congested traffic down to two lanes to make it better.
All cars will use what is now the southbound A23 past St Peters and along Grand Parade. This will be two way. The existing northbound will become a bus lane. How on earth can turning four lanes into two make it better?
Traffic for the A27/A270 for Lewes will have to stay in the same lane as traffic queuing to get out on the A23. Has anyone from the council any idea at all about the real life?
https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/co...sport-and-road-safety/a-vision-valley-gardens

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studio150 said:

You only have to look at the traffic looking to get out of town in the evening rush hour and summer weekends to know that the traffic moves slowly if at all. I would stand by for gridlock.
During the upgrade it will be interesting to see how if effects those that get the 25 or 28 out to the Amex for games, particularly night games.

What with the on going issues with the trains, and now this 'improvement' will anyone actually travel to Brighton unless they have no choice

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Notters said:

When I was working on it there were still going to be four lanes but all on the east side. Is this no longer the case?

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Stat Brother said:

Never had a problem on my bike, I guess this congestion won't change that in the slightest.

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Green Cross Code Man said:

Helpful comment.

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Superseagull said:

Taking the northbound traffic down to ONE lane on the East side in places is bonkers. Clearly the plan is to make traffic flow so bad nobody will bother to drive into the area. How much money has been spent on stupid traffic improvements in the area over the last 20 years?

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Superseagull said:

Taking the northbound traffic down to ONE lane on the East side in places is bonkers. Clearly the plan is to make traffic flow so bad nobody will bother to drive into the area. How much money has been spent on stupid traffic improvements in the area over the last 20 years?

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Stat Brother said:

Thanks.

As it stands the whole area is a confusing mess of main roads, side roads, traffic lights and paths, which like it or not the quickest way through is on a bike. (now awaiting some nimrod to mention red light dodging).

But here's the bit that f**ktard slaves to cars don't understand.

Building safe, expansive, connected, paths, cycle and bus routes will reduce congestion.
Because nobody wants to be sat in their car watching time and money tick by, on their 2 mile journey, while seemingly everybody else is moving quicker.

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Stat Brother said:

Thanks.

As it stands the whole area is a confusing mess of main roads, side roads, traffic lights and paths, which like it or not the quickest way through is on a bike. (now awaiting some nimrod to mention red light dodging).

But here's the bit that f**ktard slaves to cars don't understand.

Building safe, expansive, connected, paths, cycle and bus routes will reduce congestion.
Because nobody wants to be sat in their car watching time and money tick by, on their 2 mile journey, while seemingly everybody else is moving quicker.

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Green Cross Code Man said:

No need to be aggressive. Making streets better for everyone is a good thing. It's just my perception that for a very long time, Brighton council has waged war against drivers. I hardly ever visit the place now, which is a great pity as it's not worth the effort. If the powers that be were serious about reducing traffic, buses and trains would be way way cheaper. It's all lip service as far as I'm concerned.

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larus said:

Or the other way to look at it is that is acts as a deterrent to people coming into the town. Now, you may think thus is a good thing.

For example, I live in Haywards Heath, but if I need to go shopping now I will drive to Bluewater and not go to Brighton as it takes as long to get into Brighton and get parked as it takes to get to Bluewater. Oh, and parking is free there too unlike the rip-off rates in Brighton. So, Brighton shopkeepers/cafes lose my trade and I will be far from the only one, which can’t be good for the local economy. The attitude of Brighton council appears to want to make life difficult/expenses for drivers.

Also, a mate of mine runs a small building company and they avoid (where possible) taking on projects in Brighton as it’s so expensive to do anything. Nowhere for tradesmen to park, permits, etc. All this means that the choices will be restricted for Brighton residents as some firms will decline the work. The ones who will do jobs will be able to charge more as less competition.

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Stat Brother said:

Unless I'm mistaken the Council has no say in the price of train and bus travel. (happy to stand corrected)

I don't see this as a 'war against drivers', now who's being aggressive?

I've driven that road more times than I've ridden it, I can't remember a time when it hasn't been shitehouse.
I'd be amazed if any driver on this thread says 'leave it as it is'.

So something has got to change.
More road isn't the answer, it's just not physically practical, and as said that'll just kick the problem down the road (pun intended) for a few years.

The only other answer is less cars.
You can't have less cars with no 'reward' for not using your car.

I see no reason why such a small scheme wouldn't work, if it's done properly.
My fear would be that none of the thinking is joined up, so your bus takes 90% off it's journey time then turns left and is sat in yet more traffic. That appears to be the English way.

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