Conservative ideas for Madeira Drive are attracting attention and being implemented.
Conservatives have long been campaigners for the restoration of our heritage and no more so than the historic Madeira Arches which are, as of this month, classified by Historic England as an “at risk” structure.
In July we put forward a five-part plan for a Madeira Drive Upgrade Project to unite residents and restore pride to the city post covid-19. Our plan included
- A one-lane, one-way Madeira Drive – Implement the Conservative compromise proposal, put forward by Councillor Lee Wares, who speaks for the party on transport. The compromise has won backing from traders and includes reopening Madeira Drive’s north side as a one-way road while converting the south side lane into a cycle lane.
- Invest £11 million in the restoration of the Arches – Start restoration immediately with the budget measure for the arches, brokered in February by Councillor Joe Miller, who speaks for Conservatives on finance.
- Support for the Save the Arches petition – Boost the funds available for an upgrade by considering residents’ Save the Arches petition which calls for parking revenue collected in Maderia Drive to be used for an upgrade of Madeira Drive.
- Regenerate the Black Rock site – Upgrade and regenerate the vacant Black Rock site close to Brighton Marina which has been rundown and underused for more than 40 years.
- Investigate extending Volk’s Railway – Investigate extending the historic railway in both directions, east to the Marina and west to the i360.
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Thanks to the hard work of our Conservative team of councillors, we are making progress on many of these fronts.
The Conservative compromise for Madeira Drive
The Conservative compromise for Madeira Drive – reopening Madeira Drive’s north side as a one-way road while converting the south side into a cycle lane – was given the green light last week.
The closure of Madeira Drive implemented by the council during the lockdown, while enjoyed by some, caused great concern and hardship for others.
Businesses in Madeira Drive reported that the closure was severely hurting their trade, with some reporting they would not be paying their rent to the council as a result.
Disability groups were aghast at the loss of access to the seafront road and upset people with a disability could not to use the disabled toilets in Madeira Drive without having to ask permission from a steward.
Neighbouring retail areas were also affected, with a knock-on effect in the wider Kemp Town area and the Marina with displaced parking, and the Palace Pier linking the closure to a downturn in trade.
And the city’s finances took a hit, with the tap being turned off on parking revenue along the Madeira Drive.
The Conservatives were concerned about all these issues and transport spokesman Councillor Lee Wares stood alone among his counterparts in working to build a compromise proposal after listening, consulting and engaging with those who were affected.
After a Green u-turn at last weeks meeting, the proposal went through.
Traders and environmental groups alike are delighted – especially Ollie Wilson who co-ordinated an 11,000-strong petition signed by traders, disability groups, mods and rockers.
Madeira Arches restoration – MT30
