The public are now able to express their views to the council on the new cycle lane proposals following major resident backlash throughout the city.
Brighton and Hove City Council have asked for opinions on current, temporary and future changes as they look to make major changes to the way people use the area such as the heavily opposed recent proposal to turn the city centre into a car free and emission free zone. A council spokesman reiterated that they are seeing significant changes to the way that people are using the city’s streets, with walking and cycling becoming much more popular choices in the community for tasks such as school, work and other pursuits.
The work comes after the council received strong instruction and funding from the central government to make active travel a key agenda by providing attractive options for smaller journeys or even part of a longer journey to make a greater environmental and physical impact on nature and human health. Brighton and Hove have reportedly received £2.376 million from the Governments active travel fund to progress these cycle lanes and this comes in addition to the previous offering of £663,000 received back in June 2020. However, cycle lanes such as these are currently being declared illegal in London due to the impact on major roads and industries like taxis making it impossible for them to effectively navigate around areas of the city.
This comes on top of last summer’s Hove town hall protest where some Labour councillors’ broke ranks with their party to protest the unnecessary and poorly implemented idea, and the recent incidents of local residents and even the deputy leader of Brighton Council, Hannah Clare, being knocked off of her bike by a van less than two weeks ago. At the current time, the council refuses to admit mistakes or errors behind the plans despite the fact that 66% of residents surveyed are against permanent changes. It is hoped that through this new feedback, the public will have greater impact on current plans where a more amicable decision can be taken.
