A business in Old Steine has complained that a bus stop has been moved next to a loading bay and blocks a small but busy street just off the A23.
The move followed the start of work to change the road layout in the area as part of a project known as Valley Gardens Phase 3 (VG3).
Bus stop H was previously next to the war memorial. It is shown in the latest VG3 newsletter as having been relocated to just south of Pavilion Street.
But, instead, the stop is by the corner of Prince’s Street, almost opposite the old bus stop.
The move is causing frustrations because several buses block access to disabled bays and doctor’s parking in Prince’s Street.
And the director of Brighton Language College International, Gary Farmer, said that the often-blocked loading bay was used for student transport.
Mr Farmer has written to the council. He has been an active member of the Valley Gardens Forum, raising concerns about the new road layouts for six years.
He is concerned that the buses could end up using the area by the loading bay for months at the height of the busy summer season.
He asked whether some of the buses could use an alternative stop, such as the one for the 7, 12 and 18, further around Old Steine to reduce congestion.
Mr Farmer, who has previously stood for election to the council, said: “The bus stop was supposed to be further along the road, away from the disabled bays / doctor bays / Prince’s Street access / loading bay.
“The information given out to us and the information on the old H bus stop still has the location as further down on Pavilion Parade and not Old Steine.
“The traffic is a nightmare. Someone will get knocked down sooner or later. Nobody has thought this through. It is as if it has been written on the back of a crisp packet.
“We are told one thing and then something else happens. Who thought this would be a good idea? It has only just started and we are all up in arms here.
“The fear is that the loading bay will be a permanent bus stop. We are receiving mixed messages and there is no continuity or acceptable management of the situation.”
Brighton and Hove City Council said that the stop was where it was shown on the map, with the marker in a midpoint for illustrative purposes.
The stop extends up Pavilion Parade, with buses stopping on both sides of Prince’s Street and, the council said, when the loading bay was in use, the buses would stop further back.
Labour councillor Trevor Muten, the council’s cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, said: “These changes are part of major improvements which will transform the heart of the city for the benefit of all as part of the Valley Gardens Phase 3 (VG3) project.
“The current arrangements for this bus stop on the Old Steine are temporary and we included details in our recent VG3 newsletter.
“The temporary bus stop is south of Pavilion Street as shown on the map which is accurate. We have retained the loading bay to the south. It remains in use and businesses continue to use this space.
“There will be some further temporary changes to where buses stop over the coming weeks as work takes place to remove the traffic islands but we aim to keep the number of changes and disruption to a minimum.
“We’ll continue to update residents and businesses using the website, street signs and regular project newsletters about forthcoming works.
“Some short-notice changes may be necessary to allow the works to progress and so we can respond to any issues to keep buses and traffic moving in this busy area.
“We’re working to keep disruption to residents, businesses and bus passengers to a minimum and apologise for any inconvenience during this time as we make these transformational city centre improvements.
“Work is progressing well and there is already much more space and a more direct route for pedestrians in this area while we keep traffic flowing and bus passengers updated.”
The recent newsletter has the bus stop in a different place, the council has put it on a junction with Princes St. We have buses stopping at a junction and letting people off and on in the middle of the road. Princes St remains blocked and the disabled parking bays cut off for those who need them. The council is lying, the bus company are confused and there are multiple near misses daily. The loading bay which should be for local businesses and residents has a bus stop in the middle of it, they council say this is until October. Bus Stop X was originally further north and then they moved it and move it again and again – each time edging further southwards. The council do not know what they are talking about and still insist it is in a different place to where it truly is. Princes St has a bin liner over the 1 way sign and pavements remain dig up as the contractors cannot connect the new lamp posts to the mains current.
Gary’s comment is a great example of how a potentially valid concern is lost in a sea of emotional exaggeration and vague accusations. So, he’s fitting into his new role within Reform well, it seems. Too often, issues that could be sorted with a bit of clear communication get derailed by needless drama. Gary has some good experience with this. I’ve seen him fairly recently get a good outcome by articulating himself much better than here. Seeing him default to this mentality is a disappointing step back for him.
Reform’s Gary Farmer tends to have a lot of complaints of this nature. Where does the sense of entitlement to use the space in question as a drop of by large coaches for HIS business come from? Is there not a designated coach station not 10 minutes walk from here…
He’s not complaining as a member of a party though is he. The article repeatedly references his position at a local business/ education site. His membership of any political party isn’t mentioned or reported as a factor.
If you’ve ever walked by the general area you’d know that any student transport is transit van type not pcv 50 seater coaches.
He and the reporter make numerous references to loss of access to Dr’s, disabled parking and other businesses so any sense of entitlement appears imagined by yourself. That aside. As a business owner paying rates and being located in the affected area he, along with other geographically located businesses have a reasonable expectation to be able to make use of such bays which exist to enable delivery drivers to park legally and reduce the chance of impending traffic flows.
Don’t know the bloke. Don’t work for him. How I vote is nobodies business but having checked he’s not in my ward or constituency so even if I was inclined to vote for him or his party the point would be moot.
Ah, but you always wear your party’s colours regardless once you’ve put yourself out there once. I don’t think anyone disputes that local businesses should have a say when access is disrupted, especially when it affects disabled bays or loading. But this isn’t Gary’s first time making a scene rather than a case.
Penelope
Pool Valley is closed off at the moment due to the demolition works at the Royal Albion.
Your comments are a bit unfair. This isn’t just about his business but a range of problems including disabled, Doctors and loading bays.
This area is already a high risk now added too with Buses dropping off every few minutes.
The planning is appalling and it is just an accident waiting to happen. This was pointed out at various meetings and a plan to divert buses into the right hand slip road had been suggested but obviously fell on deaf ears at BHCC as usual.
Correct, there is a coach station but in accessible at this time due to the Hotel being ripped down. Do pay attention.
I thought Mr Farmer was more concerned with small boats.
I seem to recall he had accused you of some bad faith during the locals a while back too?
I’m pig sick of these never ending roadworks the bus service is bad enough as it is without this the 50 service the worst in Europe doesn’t turn right at old steine but all the other services do
Boo hoo! If you’re moaning about traffic, you are the traffic!
Not when you use the Bus service I have not got a car
Not when you’re trying to cross…
Irrespective of politics which gets in the way of everything with people blaming each other. Perhaps it would be a good idea if someone at B&H council could actually bash some heads together and address the concerns here. There is a definite problem with this bus stop and it does seem to have been very badly planned!
That’s…actually a very level-headed point.
This dull clickbait non-story, written by a cheap hack, “created” from a non-existent problem by some regular drama queen who has spectacularly failed in every endeavour he has tried to succeed in, truly shows how this “local newsite” isn’t fit for serving our community. Anyone know of any other decent local news organisations out there?
If irony could power the grid, this comment would solve the energy crisis. You accuse the piece of being clickbait while offering up the most frothing, drama-drenched post in the thread without a single actual point. No facts, no corrections, just tired insults and projections.
Maybe take a moment to reflect on how calling someone a “drama queen” and a “cheap hack” doesn’t make you sound informed; it makes you sound like a child who lost an argument somewhere else and came here to sulk.
Rentagob gammon at it again
I use the busses all the time and I understand that this is a temporary measure. Any disruption of access to the disabled bays and doctors parking is more impinged by the students congregating outside of the college than any bus. The loading bays are still accessible. Picking up and dropping off students either by coach or minibus is not good use of loading bays and these able-bodied youngsters can make use of their legs and walk.
Temporary or not, this is an appalling decision. This area is already high risk and added too by buses every few minutes.
Looking at the whole picture, you have Doctors and disabled bays. Already you can guess there will be vulnerable and elderly people in this area. Loading bays then make this area even more of a ‘risk’. I agree, the student’s could walk, but still doesn’t make putting the bus stop there sensible and makes the area a HIGH RISK HAZARD.
Poorly thought out and no thought to proper planning yet again.
The whole VG3 scheme is farcical and benefits no one except a few fair weather cyclists and any ne’er do well wanting to set up a tent encampment. This is the gateway to Brighton being clogged and obstructing all visitors, deliveries commuters and contractors, not to mention delaying emergency vehicles and the very public transport it claims to benefit..
Don’t blame the bus service blame the council!
I recently had to travel by bus for an appointment
I was confused regarding a bus stop going back from old steine
I am a wheelchair user there were some lovely people from B&H buses in yellow jackets helping drivers and passengers at the temporary bus stop
For me to be able to use the stop the bus had to move a little further forward and as well as getting the ramp out he had to lower the bus
Please stop complaining about the busses it’s not their fault they are only trying to continue their job
I cannot thank them enough for their help that day