The Brighton & Hove Labour administration has given the go ahead for major transport and public realm project, Valley Gardens Phase 3.
Phase 3 will complete the Valley Gardens project which will provide a new sustainable transport corridor for the city, together with a transformed city centre public space, from the Old Steine to the seafront.
The initial scheme design was approved by the Labour-led administration in 2018. Since then, the preferred design option has been through extensive modelling, and engagement through public consultation exercises, and stakeholder design workshops.
When Labour took control of the council in May 2023 with an overall majority, Councillors instructed officers to carry out a review of the scheme to give stakeholders another chance to comment and ensure the final design would provide the best scheme possible for the city.
As a result, some positive adjustments to the design have been made, including creating more space for buses to that they can move in and out of bus stops, while enabling other vehicles to keep moving.
The approval of the final design means that a tender exercise can now be carried out for the project.
Chair of the Transport and Sustainability Committee, Councillor Trevor Muten said: “We are delighted to be able to now press ahead with Phase 3 of the Valley Gardens scheme.
“We have always been committed to delivering the final phase of the Valley Gardens improvements but had a responsibility to forensically check the details in view of the amount of money that is being invested in the last phase of this important project.
“Given some of the ill-thought out transport schemes under the last Green administration, including the proposed Low Traffic Neighbourhood, we decided to review all transport schemes and are now satisfied that the Phase 3 design is the best possible for the city.
“It was a Labour-led administration that approved the initial design in 2018 and that secured funding for the project.
“We now have a final design which will enhance safer active travel, provide an improved transport system, and a fantastic public amenity in the heart of the city for residents and visitors. I am proud that it will be this Labour administration that delivers it.”
