Brighton and Hove remains one of the most congested cities in the country, according to an annual survey of traffic delays.
The survey ranked Brighton as the fifth most traffic-choked city in the UK, equal with Bournemouth.
Belfast had the worst traffic, according to the satellite navigation (satnav) business TomTom, which rated Edinburgh, London and Manchester as the next worst.
The findings suggested that drivers in Brighton and Hove faced a 36 per cent increase in travel times compared with free-flowing roads. The delays are longer during the morning and evening rush hours.
The 36 per cent delay was the same as Hong Kong which was ranked 44th on a list of the world’s most traffic-choked cities.
According to TomTom, drivers in Brighton and Hove could be spending the equivalent of five days a year stuck in a jam. The delays come at a price, with the company estimating that the direct and indirect costs total an average of £968 for each driver.
The company said that it hoped to “help drivers, cities and transport planners to understand traffic congestion and, more importantly, how to reduce it”.
On Thursday (23 February) Brighton and Hove City Council is due to set its budget for the coming financial year.
The proposals include almost £14 million for transport projects, including £600,000 towards “intelligent transport systems”, almost £1 million for the Boris bikes-style bike share scheme and £2.6 million towards better street lighting.
But about half of the money is expected to go towards the first two phases of the Valley Gardens project. It will involve changes to the road layout between The Level and the seafront.
And just over £3 million will go towards completing the revamp of the Shelter Hall at the bottom of West Street and the work on the road and promenade above it.
Almost all of the money has come from the government in the form of specific grants, with some also coming from contributions paid by developers.
Lower the bus fares would its cheaper for 2 people to take the car and pay parking than to take the bus.
Ilive in Croydon where fares are half the Brighton price and free for children.
That’s because TFL fares are subsidised, Brighton’s are not, nor ever likely to be. Two people can buy return bus tickets via the B&H buses app for £8.60, and come back as late as they like, I can’t park a vehicle anywhere near to the centre of Brighton for that kind of money.
Just drive to other towns in the area where visitors are welcomed with parking fees much more reasonable. I avoid traveling into central Brighton unless I really have to.
Suggestions include Worthing, Horsham, Burgess Hill, Crawley, Lewes and Eastbourne. I can drive with my wife to any of these locations faster, cheaper and more conveniently than catching a bus into Brighton.
And remember that in Brighton & Hove, that parking subsidises free bus transport for all the pensioners and disabled and very little goes to support motorists.
I support the lady from Croydon. I moved to East Sussex where my Council tax is higher, food costs more and public transport costs considerably more. It is much more expensive for me to live in East Sussex. Why did I move here ? The quality of life which can’t be costed