A new cycle lane on the A23 from Preston Circus to north of Preston Park has been completed ahead of schedule.
Work started on tweaking the road layout between Argyle Road and Preston Drove in May last year, and was finished last month.
As well as the separated cycle lane, new floating bus stops and pedestrian crossings have been installed.
Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport said: “I’m so pleased to see this work finished, and ahead of schedule.
“The changes have made it easier for people to cycle and walk through this busy part of the city while better junctions and wider pavements have made it safer for all road users, including bus passengers.
“Floating bus stops are common across the country but relatively new to most parts of Brighton and Hove so it’s important cyclists, pedestrians and bus passengers make themselves aware of the new layout, crossings and road markings.
“We want everyone to enjoy the new spaces and improvements safely.”
The work was funded by the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund, developer contributions and the council’s Local Transport Plan budget.
Contractors Edburtons donated manpower, machinery, aggregate and fencing for the pétanque court in Preston Park.
More cycle racks have been installed at the Standford Avenue junction and Rockery Gardens.
The north entrance to Preston Park has been resurfaced and a new tree pit has been put on the park side of the A23 ready for a new tree in the autumn.
Looks dangerous to me. Especially bikes going north, then going right into the park. Car drivers would have a split second as the bike moved this few meters in a different direction. Not enough time to stop, assuming that the car driver thinks the bike has priority (and that is far from clear as cars have to stop for pedestrians on a zebra but not for cyclists). I think there should be stop marks for cyclists there so that they stop and wait as pedestrians would do for a zebra crossing. If this was a regular T or cross junction, not too much of an issue. But cyclists can move across and change direction right next to the junction, giving car drivers no chance to stop. Unless cyclists understand this, real risk.
It’s very clear who has priority. There are broken lines on the A23 at the point where it crosses the cycle path . The cycle path is the major road in this case, the A23 is the minor road that crosses it. I do think it would benefit drivers on the A23 though, if there was a Give Way sign.
It’s very clear yes, but that makes no difference to many drivers’ driving competencies (or lack of). Won’t be long before there is an accident.
The cycle lane is not a road, it is just a cycle lane that crosses a major road.
Cyclist and pedestrians do have priority.
No Give Way lines or signage needed, it is a clearly marked Zebra Crossing for both Cyclists and pedestrians indicated by the black and white striped markings across the road and the amber beacons on the black and white poles.
I have seen a flaw in this already and potentially a dangerous one.
The photograph shows the lane dictating round to the right to use the crossing, but the line is broken so an option to continue ahead is in place.
I note there is no give way markings or warnings for cyclist to give way/look out for any pedestrians who may be crossing from the Zebra into the live cycle lane and equally no markings or warnings for pedestrians warning of said lane.
There are some lines and paint on the A23 – but what do they mean? There isn’t a give way sign (that requires a painted triangle on the road and triangular signs) so I say it’s far from clear that drivers should give way as no give way markings! Yes, there are pedestrian, zebra crossing, markings but they you are looking for pedestrians waiting to cross not cyclists who from one way are going north not east until the last split second or from the other way obscured by barriers/road/trees
For the cycle lane option to go right. Imagine you are driving north. To your left a cyclist is on the cycle path, also travelling north. All good, the driver can continue safely the cyclist is physically separated. Then the cyclist goes right along that junction. A few metres later they will be crossing the A23 faster than a person can react, let alone brake. At whatever speed the vehicle is travelling north on the A23 (be it a cycle, car, van or lorry) there will be a bike in front of them unless the bike slows/gives way
Time will tell. But if I was cycling this I would give way to the road if I was turning right across the A23. Not suggesting this with markings is dangerous. Pedestrians should not just walk out at zebra crossings, encouraging bikes to speed across a trunk road, thinking they have priority is madness.
The Highway code and know your traffic signs publications will indicate what road markings are.
I will assume you haven’t read the highway code or drive.
No there isn’t a Give Way sign, it’s a Zebra crossing with the usual markings and flashing amber beacons, the same as all the others across the country, and if any driver doesn’t know that they really shouldn’t be behind the wheel.
Correct at the zebra crossing you’re are looking out for ALL road users not just pedestrians waiting to cross.
As for the cycle lane, observant motorists should be aware of their surroundings and note the cycle lane crosses their path from both directions.
You can see the dotted lines across the road and the Flashing Beacons where the crossing starts so no excuse for not observing the obvious crossing.
The photo doesn’t show any obstructions as you describe so I’m lost on that one.
As with all pedestrian crossings, it is down to all parties to be observant and take care. Here rules should be applied and cyclist should be prepared to stop and wait as would any pedestrian.
The markings are correct for the type of crossing installed and therefore not dangerous, but if suitable for cyclists is another matter and personally controlled lights would be better at this location being a major road.
Now you do make a valid point when you say Pedestrians should not just walk out at zebra crossings, but some do, and I’m sure cyclists will just ride across because in fact they do have priority, because the law and relevant RTA’s makes it clear when the HC was updated.
Why would motorists look out for cyclists riding across a zebra crossing? That is illegal. The Highway Code specifically tells cyclists to dismount and walk their bikes across
Maybe there is a new section of the highway code that covers this sort of junction. But I can’t find it. And that’s key – because if motorists don’t know then will they follow? To make this safe, 100% of motorists must do – and how is that possible? We can see from this debate that 100% don’t understand – and that’s looking at it, thinking about it and not going towards it on 2 or 4 wheels at speed and at an angle that doesn’t show road markings far ahead (which is why we have road signs, but not here!)
I think most motorists will treat as a zebra but will cyclists riding across it (although that’s not allowed). That means bikes waiting to check if clear, not speeding across as they feel like it
This is a major road. Used by lots of tourists (both on 2 wheels and 4). It screams danger to me. But we’ll see. I personally think lights would be the way to go – but time will tell if accidents go up.
I hope the council’s road department is totally sure on the markings and legality of this – or we could all end up paying lots if any injuries are caused and it isn’t safe.
Nick
Motorists should scan the crossing area on approach.
You say Cyclist using the Zebra is illegal and correctly say ‘The Highway Code specifically tells cyclists to dismount and walk their bikes across’.
Both are right, however this is a Parallel (TIGER) crossing, Pedestrians use the Zebra, Cyclists use the cycle lane.
Rule 195 of the Highway Code.
Parallel crossings are similar to zebra crossings, but include a cycle route alongside the black and white stripes.
As you approach a parallel crossing
look out for pedestrians or cyclists waiting to cross and slow down or stop
you should give way to pedestrians or cyclists waiting to cross
you MUST give way when a pedestrian or cyclist has moved onto a crossing
allow more time for stopping on wet or icy roads
do not wave, flash your lights or use your horn to invite pedestrians or cyclists across; this could be dangerous if another vehicle is approaching
be patient, do not sound your horn or rev your engine as this can be intimidating
be aware of pedestrians or cyclists approaching from the side of the crossing.
Also page 149 of Know your traffic signs, Parallel crossings.
Yes it means cyclist will need to check if clear, same as everybody else.
I agree and think I said earlier lights would be better at this location.
The road markings are legal, the first originals were painted Yellow and Black along side the Black and whites hence the name ‘TIGER’ but can be textile red or green if part of a cycle route as this one is and for a change BHCC have got that right.
Thanks for the debate, you’ve raised some valid points and put forward some great comments, it’s nice to debate with someone sensible.
It will be interesting to see how this goes, others that I have come across in Brighton and elsewhere seem to be working well with no problems encountered.
Not sure you are right here. There is a break in the cycle path at the point (black tarmac strip) it crosses the road and I think bicycles should stop at this point and wait for car drivers to stop & give way, the same as a pedestrian does on a Zebra Crossing as per you the Highway Code. Cars need a required stopping distances, dependant on speed & road conditions. I also feel that this is an accident waiting to happen as many cyclists may not stop at this point and cars may have already crossed the Give Way markings or may not have required time or distance to stop and give way to them. As a pedestrian of many years I would not assume that I can just step on to a Zebra Crossing and I wait for traffic to stop before crossing, which I again confirm is advised in the Highway Code.
Can anyone explain the logic of a cycle lane having priority over one of the main arterial roads out of the city? If it were me cycling I would not expect to be holding up a large volume of traffic just because someone has decreed priority to me for choosing a form of transport used by a very small minority. I like cycling but it’s a leisure pursuit and not for people who have longer distances to travel in a reasonable time.
Reduce speed limit from 30 to 20, and then it’s easy for a driver to stop in those circumstances; assuming they are paying attention and adhering to the speed limit
neither of these things are guaranteed. There are dangerous drivers – some speed, some will be looking at phone, drunk or on drugs. I wouldn’t cycle across without looking just as I wouldn’t walk across a zebra without looking. But the cycle lane markings, without any give-way markings, imply cyclists should just ride across. Dangerous!
More ebikes and increase ebike speed limits so that they can get across those roads more quickly before the cars hit them
It’s not dangerous at all. On approach, it is clearly a Zebra crossing and with the Amber beacons flashing no driver should have only a split second. Recognition of such crossing should alert drivers way before reaching the actual crossing and drivers should be scanning for any potential users.
Green textile markings for the cycle lane runs parallel to the Zebra just before the Beacons and would indicate Cyclists also cross at this point.
No need for a stop/give way for cyclists as it is a crossing but remember pedestrians and cyclist have priority, but of course, there’s always the risk a cyclist may ride straight through without looking but that’s also true of pedestrians who may walk straight out and of course dopey drivers who couldn’t careless.
how many seconds from a bike travelling north, changing lane to go right into the park. I think split second as that’s only a few metres. So no warning and will happen within driver’s reaction time, let alone stopping time. Pedestrians don’t just appear at crossings, in this case a bike will.
You’re focusing only on the driver, surely a cyclist should be observant and be aware of vehicles in the road that they may come into conflict with, it works both ways I’m afraid and you have to take responsibility for your actions.
The HC tells cyclist they should see and be seen, so wearing a high viability jacket will help on that score and cyclist have a legal requirements to use front and rear lights, this too will help.
I agree. But if the cyclists follow the road markings then they have right of way and no need to slow down or observe. As a cyclist I would do that. But that’s because I also drive and can see both ways. Many cyclists don’t and will be unaware of the danger they are in.
Nick
Lets clear this up, Cyclist DO NOT have ‘right of way’, it is a crossing point and should be treated as such.
To be fair, if a cyclist fails to do their safety checks that’s entirely down to them.
The new bus stop layout ensures cars are unable to overtake when the bus is stationary, a major flaw in the design.
Would it be possible to have the contractors run a steamroller (or whatever they’re called these days) along the new cycle lanes a few more times to flatten/level them out? They’re far from level/flat and make a very bumpy ride.
Agreed
Belisha beacons signify a zebra crossing, that is a PEDESTRIAN, crossing. AIUI, cyclists are required to dismount and walk their cycles across a zebra crossing. Highway code Rule 81.
That layout is an accident waiting to happen and it’s a pretty safe bet who would take the blame.
Actually if you look closely at the picture, cyclist have their own section where they can cycle across as they are not actually riding across the black and white markings.
The design of dedicate markings are legal and there’s a few around Brighton, one being on the Seafront just past West Street West bound.
yes, but if the cyclists are not on the zebra crossing (as they are not allowed to ride across it) then where does it say in the highway code that vehicles (cyclists, cars etc) on main A23 should give way? Without give way markings and signs, I don’t understand how these markings are legal. Even more so, how many will make mistakes
Go look up road markings for Zebra crossings.
Then look up Tiger crossings.
To help you out Tiger crossings, officially called parallel crossings, combine a pedestrian zebra crossing with a crossing for cyclists. They are often known as tiger crossings because early examples featured yellow stripes on black tarmac.
Found it after a bit of searching – rule 195 in highway code. But how many will know about – as relatively new
Even the way it is written assumes that cyclists will wait – not just ride across. So cycling like a pedestrian treats a zebra (which is the way I’d have treated as a driver instinctively).
Rule 195
Zebra and parallel crossings….
look out for pedestrians or cyclists waiting to cross and slow down or stop
you should give way to pedestrians or cyclists waiting to cross
you MUST give way when a pedestrian or cyclist has moved onto a crossing
I’d like to see a survey of drivers and cyclists and see how many of them understand the markings and what they’d do? If not close to 100% then I see as a danger
But my main concern remains – that a cyclist going north suddenly goes east next to the crossing. That gives a driver no time to react. So unless the cyclist gives way, they are playing a dangerous lotttery
Ah, there’s a great comeback to that one Nick. When you sign for your driving license after passing your test, you are agreeing to a legally binding arrangement that you are to keep up to date with your knowledge of the highway code and road signs literature.
Of course, many don’t.
See also Highway Code rule 82.
I see no signals there for cyclists.
Makes me wonder whether that crossing is even legal.
Tiger crossings, officially called parallel crossings, combine a pedestrian zebra crossing with a crossing for cyclists. They are often known as tiger crossings because early examples featured yellow stripes on black tarmac.
Floating bus stops are causing traffic to back up. More congestion and more pollution.
Muten is on record as saying he wants to keep traffic flowing freely. Well Trev – You’ve clearly failed!
And like other commenters have said – the design is crazy and dangerous . What’s gonna happen when all the leaves/branches come off the trees directly onto the southbound lane in autumn?
Morons
I pass through here all the time and it is far more dangerous now. Cyclists come through out of the park at such a clip that makes it hard to see from the other sides, plus the curves of the path coming up to the north make it look to drivers as if someone is turning when they are not. It is only a matter of time before someone is very hurt.
Its clear many commenting don’t live here. I’ve lived overlooking the park for 23 years and the traffic chaos this has caused is immense. Vehicles can no longer overtake buses so everything grids to a halt. I watched a queue forming from Grange Close all the way up past the junction with New Road the other day because a bus was stopped southbound and nobody was able to move. Thank you Trev for increasing the level of air pollution. The island bus stops are a menace to pedestians and I experienced this myself a fortnight ago when stepping off a bus only to find a cylist dressed in dark clothing with no lights come past me and nearly clip me at high speed, and yes, I checked before trying to cross the cycle lane but he was all but invisible. My wife is partially sighted and is now scared to cross to the bus stop on her own. As a bonus, the vehicle lanes are now so narrow in places that its only a matter of time before we have a head on clip from two trucks. I drive it daily and have had to take avoiding action due to large vehicles coming over the white line. This entire installation is a huge waste of money and simply a sop to those who think this type of thing improves matters for cyclists and pedestrians. It may do for cyclists but its certainly significantly reduced safety for pedestrians and motor vehicles.
you motorists only care about air pollution when you’re inconvenienced for the safety of others. 99.9% of the time you’re driving you don’t give a single thought towards the fumes you’re constantly expelling.
Typical comment from you with the usual assumptions.
What evidence do you have that motorists only care about pollution when inconvenienced and lamely add for the safety of others?
What evidence do you have that 99.9% of the time you’re driving you don’t give a single thought towards the fumes you’re constantly expelling ?
Careful study of comments on here, and other articles on similar subjects reveal that most people are concerned about congestion and pollution caused by poor traffic management, the posters range from pedestrians, cyclists to motorists and has nothing to do with inconvenience.
I and others have often highlighted many flaws in and around the city where congestion and pollution can be reduced by simple retweeting of traffic light phases for example and other measures.
This city has experienced over a decade of poor traffic management with introductions of so called ‘Improvement’ schemes that have historically proven to be flawed and in some cases, re-working required to make them work better.
I, like others, fully appreciate and understand the need to reduce pollution and I personally have taken steps to reduce my own contribution by changing to a more economical and environmentally friendly vehicle, use the local buses where possible, walk when able and until a disability stopped me, I cycled.
To make bold claims that people don’t care is just wrong and shows ignorance at the highest level.
Muten is clearly deranged if he thinks this is an improvement. It causes more congestion and many regular cyclists have described it as dangerous.
Sack Muten
Sack the Transport department
Another cycle lane for cyclists to ignore. If there is no legislation to force cyclists to use cycle lanes, they are a complete waste of taxpayer’s money.
Meantime our government cuts PIP payments and the winter fuel allowance and makes it harder and more expensive for citizens to live every day, pleading that they have no money and more and more families are having to resort to food banks in a country which is supposed to have a Welfare State. Yet they find endless money to give to the likes of Muten to waste on playing SimCity with people’s lives. This is why Reform will be the next Government. Because people have had enough of the same old, same old, getting worse and worse.
Maybe try and maintain the other cycle lanes so that markings are visible? I know it won’t be an all bells and whistles event that the council can show off about but it might just make it a bit safer for people too?
I’m nervous everytime I cycle across it. It’s new and uncommon . For a lot of car-drivers it’s confusing and their attitude is to just keep moving.
I see it everyday at traffic lights where slowing down and being prepared to stop isnt an option. Speeding up to get past a green light before it changes is what a lot of of peoplle do.
Muten is a psychopath, cyclists do not use the cycle lanes. Putting cycle lanes on major roads is an obsession that is destroying our city. The madness of thinking that putting cyclists at odds with heavy traffic is a good idea does not surprise me at all. Who one earth wants to cycle next to heavy traffic? Cyclists do not want to and drivers do not want it either.
More woke madness at taxpayer’s expense
There’s a lot of discussion about safety. It seems to overlook how much safer this is compared to what we had before.
Yes, there are big benefits in both drivers and cyclists mugging up on the highway code and in seeking to prioritise safety over speed.
So far as this scheme is concerned: don’t let the perfect become the enemy of the good.
Who is this insanity safer FOR?
it is not safer for cyclists
It Is not safer for pedestrians
It is not safer for drivers
We need to demand what travelling public risk assessments are done to inform these decisions.
There should also be economic risk assessments to assess how this is damaging local trade and business
Plus emergency vehicle access risk assessments.
Just remember if you or l blocked or impeded a public road, it would be an offence.
Decent cycle lane. I use it 4 days a week. I can see why it was finished ahead of schedule though because it’s not as if they took the time to grade it properly. It’s like riding on corrugated iron places.
Yesss!! I agree
So you used to have two lanes going North, one peeled off to the right and one went straight ahead to the A23. Now there is only one lane for a stretch of 50m before they split again. The traffic builds up all the way back to the fire station with cars stuck in traffic burning fuel and polluting the environment. It’s just crazy.
Floating bus stops are a disaster. Cyclists do not give way to pedestrians.
Maybe the money for this should have been spent on resurfacing our disgraceful roads?
Cyclists do use them too!
This junction is akin to a video game! When a car is just about to cross the zebra crossing from the left hand side out of a blind spot e-bikes and scooters travelling well over 20mph swerve right across the line of traffic. Frequently they ride onto to zebra pedestrian section. Meanwhile along the road ambulances and police cars are held up because a bus or buses have stopped at one of the ludicrously sited bus stops whilst the now extra wide pavement is left untrodden because there are few pedestrians. Millions of pounds wasted in the creation of a dangerous road system.
The ebikes need to go even faster to get over the crossing before the cars hit them. Faster, faster, more, more!
Floating bus stops really hold up traffic when buses are staitonary, pretty poor design really and something they are proposing to do on Phase 2 of the A259 seafront cycle lane, looks like Labour is really trying to lose its South Portslade councilors.
The green is already wearing off on the road section of the cycle lane, so…
Seems like BHCC are secretly trying to kill off cyclists! This is not a safe design and seems deliberately designed to cause conflict and accidents! I wonder how long before a cyclist decides they would fare better than a 1-2 ton piece of metal travelling along a main road and just rides straight across it. The design at the gyratory is also very dangerous but this one is far worse – makes you wonder who comes up with these ideas, surely health and safety should’ve been consulted as this is definitely not a safe design. As a driver and cyclist I’ll stick to using the pedestrian crossing when cycling this route instead of the suicide lane!
From the average skill of cyclists I personally see on the road, and sometimes on the floor, I would gently suggest that cyclists are trying to kill off cyclists. I mentioned it a while back, but I would like to see a number plate or similar system to recognise when cyclists break the rules of the road and hold them to the same accountability as other road users, like cars.