Almost 2,000 people signed a petition calling for a clean air pilot scheme in Lewes Road, Brighton.
Neurologist Sara Leddy spelt out the health reasons as she presented the petition to Brighton and Hove City Council.
Dr Leddy called for an urgent public meeting on air pollution and called for the council to give priority to electric buses along Lewes Road, reduce idling from waiting traffic and introduce a clean air zone.
She spoke about the issue at a meeting of the full council at Hove Town Hall on Thursday (18 December).
Lewes Road, she said, was flanked by five primary schools, three nurseries and one of the largest medical centres in Brighton and Hove as well as many homes and businesses.
Dr Leddy, a neurology registrar at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton, told councillors that she saw people with dementia, stroke and conditions affecting their brain and nervous system every day.
She said that, in 2020, the medical journal The Lancet included air pollution as a risk factor for dementia and, in 2024, it said that addressing the risk could prevent half of dementia cases.
By 2040, 1.7 million people in England and Wales are expected to be living with dementia.
Dr Leddy said: “It is a devastating illness for individuals and families. Any measures that can be taken to prevent this condition make sense on an economic, medical and personal level.”
Her petition was supported by many doctors concerned about various health issues, she said. And many parents had also signed the petition from the schools and nurseries along Lewes Road.
Dr Leddy’s own daughter attended a nursery there and, when enrolling her, the neurologist had not been aware of the levels of air pollution in the area.
She said: “My partner and I considered moving her but leaving the incredible staff and other children without trying to make the situation better did not sit well with me as a doctor
“Every morning and afternoon, there are lots of children walking to and from schools and nurseries in Lewes Road alongside rows of cars and buses idling at the many sets of traffic lights.”
Labour councillor Trevor Muten, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said that he had attended an air quality meeting at Sussex University about the effects of air quality on health.
He said: “There is no question there are relationships between air quality and other health conditions.
“Clean air is not a woke agenda. Rather, we have a statutory duty to improve air quality, as established in 1996.”
Councillor Muten said that the council had complied with national air quality standards since 2023 – and at his next meeting with bus operators, he would set a timeline for all buses to meet the Euro 6 emission standard.
He would also look to expand the bus-based ultra-low emission zone along Lewes Road as far as the bus depot which he would like to see electrified.
Green councillor Kerry Pickett wanted to see the petition referred to the council’s Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee. She asked for a report that would include a “clean air pilot scheme” for Lewes Road for further consideration by the council’s cabinet.
Councillor Pickett said that 60 per cent of air pollution came from suspended dust from brakes and tyres rather than exhausts.
She said that wood-burning stoves emitted 750 times more tiny particles than a modern lorry.
Councillor Pickett said: “Lewes Road along with North Road and the Preston Circus area are all severely impacted zones.
“Council monitoring systems show that daily air pollution targets set in 2022 are being failed 25 per cent of the time and that more stringent WHO (World Health Organisation) ‘safe’ levels are being violated 82 per cent of the time.
“Residents deserve accurate, transparent and trusted information about the health impacts of indoor and outdoor air pollution exposure and practical advice to reduce this. The actions of this petition will benefit everyone.”
But Councillor Muten said that his response would be enough to take the petition forward and her proposal was not voted through.
Councillor Muten said that he would work with all parties, residents and local groups to explore ways to tackle air pollution across Brighton and Hove, particularly in Lewes Road and other hot spots.
The Lewes Road is a major road in an out of Brighton to the many visitors to the city but is also where many residents live, work and for the youngest study. Surely the Council could use the vast amounts of money they make from parking charges to both visitors and residents and bus lane fines to fund this. But I’m sure Councillor Taylor will tell you otherwise.
Real simple solution, get rid of vogue gyratory. Causes nothing but gridlock
These are simply trunk roads people enter Brighton on one side, to then get through it out of the other.
Lewes Rd, Preston Park, Marine Parade, Kings Rd etc.
Most places upon recognising this would create a bypass or orbital, but we can’t as the sea is on one side and the two biggest rat runs through the city are on the seafront.
So, the only options available to us, are knock down buildings and widen the roads, or remove traffic from the existing roads.
There is no 3rd option whereby the motorist wins without turning the city into a ringroad, so the only solution, obviously, is to limit vehicular traffic.
This is something most countries in the developed world have to deal with eventually, and the answer is always a congestion charge. That ensures businesses can still operate, but puts a price of entry to those who don’t actually need to bring a car into the city at all.
M Fry
There wasn’t a problem before until they put in the bus lanes, the road ran smoothly with little delays.
You’re correct this is a major trunk route people use to enter Brighton, as is the A23. As explained many times, the A259 seafront road isn’t a rat run but a major trunk route.
Look up RAT RUN if you have the skills and intelligence to do so.
You’re not very bright if you think the only options available to us, are knock down buildings and widen the roads.
You make a positive with remove traffic from the existing roads. Bang on correct, but fail to give any alternatives to encourage people to leave their cars at home, cycle lanes are just one option, but consideration of transport for those who are unable to use cycling as a means for their travel needs.
Obviously for those with limited thought there’s no 3rd option and interestingly, you claim that the answer is a congestion charge.
Back in 2012, the ‘Green’ council wanted to introduce a CC, the idea was rejected due to there being no need. For those of us with intelligence, we can see that so called ‘Traffic Improvement’ schemes and other restrictions have created these problems, making a case for CC.
BHCC have no interest in reducing congestion, if so, they would have done something about it long ago with proper ‘Traffic Management’ and planning.
No 3rd option you say, incorrect, there’s more that can be done.
How about rephrasing traffic light signals that currently hold traffic and cause congestion needlessly, Elm Grove, Union Road and New England just a few examples. That would reduce congestion straight away for the short term.
Then there’s park and ride. A scheme was put on the table a few years ago, Brighton and Hove Buses were going to run it on their excellent Mill Road Football scheme, all they needed was a £100K contribution from BHCC and relevant paperwork to obtain road closures from Highways, but the ‘Greens’ didn’t want to back it because, they were scared local people might actually use it too.
Then we need more Express Bus service’s, priority at traffic lights for all bus services, joint tickets for both train and bus within the boundaries. Cheaper fares across the board including Taxi’s.
Extension of the Volks Railway into the Marina and King Alfred.
These will resolve some of the problems but not all.
From the evidence as partly highlighted above, a congestion charge is just a money maker, a lazy option for greedy councils who couldn’t careless about congestion or it’s residents.
Only those with simple minds will claim the answer is always a congestion charge.
There has only been this problem since the green party put in bus lanes along the Lewes road, all the time it was 2 lane traffic everything flowed, then came the bus lane which turned the Lewes rd into a car park. Then not satisfied with that they allowed great big buildings to be built, which closed in the Lewes rd on both sides. Unfortunately the green party and labour has mucked this town up with all it’s bike lanes, bus lanes and student accommodation. So well done for tuning Brighton into a s*** hole I haven’t been into the town centre for 12 years I prefer to drive out and spend money in other towns such a shame for Brighton
Agreed 100%.
The bus lanes stop at Elm Grove as we know, Buses then have to fight their way around Union Road, defeating the point of giving buses priority. It hasn’t helped that the bus lanes at St Peters have gone, meaning again priority lost and longer journeys into town.
All this added to buses getting turned short of their final destinations and throwing everybody off is not encouraging, no thought given to any intending passengers waiting like lemons in Churchill Square for a bus that has stopped and re-started at the Old Steine.
We used to use the buses all the time, but subsequent timetable and longer route with the added bonus of a fare increase and still very un-reliable made it unsustainable.
We don’t go into town that often, opting to Drive somewhere else for our shopping requirements nowadays.
Cllr Muten is currently busy overseeing the roll out of VG3, which the Council’s own consultants said would cause more congestion and pollution.
You couldn’t make it up
There also needs to be an impact assessment on the effect of creating red routes and driving commercial traffic into residential side streets and causing more pollution as a results to residents from delivery lorries and vans. The Labour Party has plans to roll lots more of this out all over independent shopping areas in the city which will decimate many commercial areas.
Luckily, it’s already been done, Kate!
Red Routes have been used for over 30 years in London, and they have been extensively evaluated. The consistent finding is that Red Routes reduce overall congestion and emissions on the main corridor, with no systematic increase in pollution on surrounding residential streets when schemes are properly designed and enforced.
No need for any more messing about with Lewes Road then? Good-o
That has nothing to do with what Kate and I are discussing, Tracy.
Hi Ben,
You are correct in your statement that London have employed Red Routes for over 30 years and consistently evaluated. It is correct the consistent finding is that Red Routes reduce overall congestion and emissions on the main corridor, however latest reports suggest that the no systematic increase in pollution on surrounding residential streets is valid.
In a damning report, routes surrounding Red Routes pollution is estimated to be 57% higher and levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are estimated to be 35% higher.
It is also reported The Red Routes will also likely be some of the last areas in the UK to meet air quality thresholds as recommended by the World Health Organization.
Rethinking London’s Red Routes:
The report easily found on TfL’s impact of red route, states ‘As the capital strives for cleaner air and considers a firm action plan to decarbonise the city, data suggests the Red Routes policy is ripe for a review.
Red Routes continue to be designated primarily areas for motor movement, conflicting with the growing number of people who live and conduct daily activities by these roads. Policymakers must come together to assess whether the network is still fit for purpose so that we make London healthier and more equitable.
An interesting fact about London Road, since the introduction of VG1/2, traffic from Elm Grove area can no longer turn right at Union Road then left into Viaduct road so motorists can access New England/Preston Circus.
Instead, they are FORCED to go ahead into Baker Street, then a choice of turning left onto the London Road and then right up Cheapside, New England Street or right onto the London Road, where they will need to turn Left into York Place and right onto New England Street or loop around Preston Circus because there’s no left turn North bound from London Road, so already traffic and congestion has increased in this area needlessly, and this council wants to reduce traffic.
Poor forward thinking and planning or a deliberate act to cause as much congestion as possible by BHCC?
Interesting, I pulled up the report and had a read. Red Routes have delivered on their core promise, which was about protecting cycle and bus lanes from obstruction, but without proper monitoring and impact assessment, we can’t say whether they’re improving overall urban conditions or just moving problems around?
It was also suggesting the use of LTNs in conjunction. Hmm, it’s food for thought, thanks for the insight.
Has Councillor Muten ever provided a direct answer to the question of why he has persisted with the VG3 scheme despite his own advisors warning of the dangers of increased pollution?
He is at the denial stage.
He is beginning to realise it is going to be a disaster
There’s hardly any traffic left on Lewes Road and any congestion is due to all the traffic lights, red routes and narrowings – so council-created. Are they petitioning for buses to be replaced by 52-person tandems? If they want to stamp out dementia, they should be campaigning to remove the heavy metal residues in medications and the water supply because they are the worst offenders.
I totally agree. I have just checked and there are six sets of traffic lights between Sainsbury’s and the turn into The Avenue. At least two of those would operate better as mini-roundabouts; the one at Natal Road; the one opposite the new development of student accommodation. In addition the bus lane was introduced to reduce emissions. So that worked then!
Roundabouts bad! According to BHCC. Dangerous also!
That’s why they’re removing the Aquarium Roundabout.
Oh..wait a minute ..is it because it will cause more congestion so the Council can justify a ulez?
If Brighton were secretly planning a ULEZ, it would be the least secret conspiracy in council history and take years of very public process. It’s completely unrealistic – legally, financially, and politically.
Then why are they going ahead with VG3 in the full knowledge it will lead to more congestion and pollution?
Well, other than, and I’ve explained this to you MANY times now, Mike, that statement is just wrong.
Benjamin is always right – VG3 will be a wonderful success!
Let’s be honest, if I were always right, I’d have a statue outside Brighton Town Hall by now. But here’s the thing, even if VG3 turns out to be the roundabout equivalent of Coldplay at Glasto, at least we’ll all have something to moan about together. That’s practically a civic tradition at this point.
So no, I’m not always right; just frequently right. And when I’m wrong? I promise to blame the bus lanes, the council, and definitely not my own overconfidence.
Happy Boxing Day, you magnificent contrarian! 🤣
I have to agree with the traffic lights, it’s laughable considering they built a bridge at the uni then put a crossing pretty much under it… Same at coombe road, should have been a bridge there when they gave permission to whoever to build the carpet shop.
I 100% disagree with the comments about bus lanes causing chaos. As a kid I lived in bevingdean and I remember it being just as grid locked then as it is now. The issue is there is no park and ride. You have a massive car park by the football stadium yet for reasons unknown, no park and ride…
The park and ride they did this summer, lol just no. Do it properly or not at all.
Sorry Dave, as a resident in the city for 50 odd years and also resident in the Lewes Road area and a retired B&H driver, I can assure you, the traffic wasn’t as bad as you claim. Yes there was congestion at peak times.
Traffic backed up along the Lewes Road from the Gyratory to Coombe Road on a bad day, occasionally The Avenue, nowadays the queues back up to Coldean lane on a good day.
From a Bus Drivers point of view, the South bound bus lane offers no real advantage as you sit in traffic at Union Road until you get to London Road.
The North bound bus lane is completely pointless beyond The Avenue and serves no real purpose.
Traffic is no longer able to turn right at Union Road then left into Viaduct road so motorists can access New England/Preston Circus.
Instead, they are FORCED to go ahead into Baker Street, then a choice of turning left onto the London Road and then right up Cheapside, New England Street or right onto the London Road, where they will need to turn Left into York Place and right onto New England Street or loop around Preston Circus because there’s no left turn North bound.
Total madness.
Heavy metal residues in medications? Next you’ll be doing an Alex Jones and claiming the water is turning the frogs gay, lol!
Research the additives. Some of all also read the ingredients on food labels. Crazy, huh?
Ungrammatical sentence aside, that is really just evidence of your lack of context. Bit like how we include every single possible side effect, which nearly always ends with “comatose and death”. Doesn’t make it a conspiracy theory. 🐸
We all knew what she meant
Don’t argue with a narc
Hence, the “Ungrammatical sentence aside” bit, Rupert. 🙄
If youre that botheted about clean air, why not disallow the spraying of particulants into the sky above us first?
Particulates are sprayed in the air to monitor air quality. Dont know what particulants are.
But we were told that the red route would have the traffic whizzing along the Lewes Road and there would, therefore, be less pollution.
Rumour has it that all the gridlocking is deliberate to CAUSE congestion and give the council an excuse to bring in ULEZ charging. Would any council really be this wicked? I hope not.
If councils were capable of deliberately masterminding long-term, multi-department conspiracies that precise, they probably wouldn’t struggle to synchronise traffic lights or deliver roadworks on time. 🙄
The suggestion of a Congestion charge was made by the ‘Greens’ back in their first term of administration, thankfully it was rejected due to there being no need for it but it was heavily mentioned that it would generate
millions in revenue.
It seems obvious, that at each and every ‘Traffic Improvement’ scheme introduced, the opposite effect has happened. The introduction of the blanket 20 MPH across the city hasn’t helped either, some roads in fact not backed by DfT or the police but introduced anyway.
So the answer Tracy, is ‘yes’, BHCC are that wicked.