Work to transform Surrey Street and Queens Road into tree lined boulevards will be started next week.
The trees are being planted as part of the next stage of work to improve the area around Brighton Station.
So far, Surrey Street has been given extended pavements, a loading bay, cycle racks and new road surface.
And Queens Road has had new bus shelters, public seating, new lighting on wider pavements, planting trees and installing loading bays without reducing the amount of pavement space for pedestrians.
Councillors at the environment, transport and sustainability committee this week approved the introduction of three loading bays as well as a contra flow cycle lane on Queens Road that will give cyclists a more direct route to the station.
Next week both Surrey Street and Queens Road will be lined with trees to create what the council calls a ‘boulevard’ effect.
The third phase will extend the scheme southwards to the junction of Queens Road, Gloucester Road, and Upper Gloucester Road. Improvements include simplifying the junction, the creation of more pavement space, new signals and pedestrian crossing points. There will be new trees and seating to encourage people to spend time in the area.
Councillor Ian Davey, lead member for transport, said: “Creating a more welcoming and pleasant space around Brighton Station is long overdue and it is wonderful to see the improvements taking shape. I‘d like to thank the transport operators, businesses and residents who have contributed to shaping the scheme and for their patience while the work is taking place.
“Whether you are travelling, living or working in the area the station and surrounding streets have a big impact and the aim is to create a much improved environment for everyone, whatever mode of transport they use.”
Work starts on Tuesday, May 6 and is expected to last until the end of August. There will be temporary traffic arrangements in place which are designed to keep disruption to a minimum.
The final stage of the scheme will focus on the area at the front of the station. The council will remodel the bus stop area, upgrade the crossing points and install new lighting, paving, trees and seating.
The Brighton Station Gateway scheme was agreed last year and work began on the first phase in January.
Completion of the project is expected in the autumn.
Even though I’ve slated the green council in the past, the artist’s impression does look like a great improvement to the station area. I do hope this actually resolves some of the traffic problems in the area with cars, buses and taxis blocking each other.
Even though I’ve slated the green council in the past, the artist’s impression does look like a great improvement to the station area. I do hope this actually resolves some of the traffic problems in the area with cars, buses and taxis blocking each other.
Public seating! God forbid! How was that allowed? Isn’t BHCC worried street drinkers will find it ? Then what? How come it is OK to instal public seating here, whilst removing it elsewhere in the city?
Hundreds of public seating points are needed. HUNDREDS – and in places people need them, around shopping areas and parks, areas where people walk to transport points(or would if it was made more comfortable to do so). You know, all those long straight roads like Boundary Road, Portslade, PORTLAND ROAD, Western Road, Church Road, North Street, Sackville Road, Old Shoreham Road, etc. etc. etc. When new saplings are given space they could be surrounded with circular benches (sturdy, maintenance free metal/plastic rather than nothing) to allow our ageing population some rest when trying to keep on walking, keep on shopping, keep on keeping on. The centre of town has almost nothing and is one reason why people there are mostly young.
Who is the public seating for this new design meant to be for? How does BHCC actually see and understand public seating and what kind is needed to support backs properly. I look forward to seeing what kind of public seating is proposed for this new scheme. Will it be like New Road’s which involve a balancing act to sit on? Or will they be comfy and give actual comfort?
Public seating! God forbid! How was that allowed? Isn’t BHCC worried street drinkers will find it ? Then what? How come it is OK to instal public seating here, whilst removing it elsewhere in the city?
Hundreds of public seating points are needed. HUNDREDS – and in places people need them, around shopping areas and parks, areas where people walk to transport points(or would if it was made more comfortable to do so). You know, all those long straight roads like Boundary Road, Portslade, PORTLAND ROAD, Western Road, Church Road, North Street, Sackville Road, Old Shoreham Road, etc. etc. etc. When new saplings are given space they could be surrounded with circular benches (sturdy, maintenance free metal/plastic rather than nothing) to allow our ageing population some rest when trying to keep on walking, keep on shopping, keep on keeping on. The centre of town has almost nothing and is one reason why people there are mostly young.
Who is the public seating for this new design meant to be for? How does BHCC actually see and understand public seating and what kind is needed to support backs properly. I look forward to seeing what kind of public seating is proposed for this new scheme. Will it be like New Road’s which involve a balancing act to sit on? Or will they be comfy and give actual comfort?
The main problem outside the station is the taxi drivers, who ignore all the road markings and park on the keep clear areas, blocking entrance to the bus bays. If the taxis are not blocking the entrance for the buses to get in the stand they are parked on it, making all the bus passengers wait whilst they get away with ignoring the rules. If I parked on there, I would almost certainly expect to be penalized for it! And this scheme has ignored what the locals voted for and left the taxis where they are. So much for democracy!
The main problem outside the station is the taxi drivers, who ignore all the road markings and park on the keep clear areas, blocking entrance to the bus bays. If the taxis are not blocking the entrance for the buses to get in the stand they are parked on it, making all the bus passengers wait whilst they get away with ignoring the rules. If I parked on there, I would almost certainly expect to be penalized for it! And this scheme has ignored what the locals voted for and left the taxis where they are. So much for democracy!