Businesses open as usual during Upper Lewes Road closure

Brighton’s Upper Lewes Road will close at the junction with the Vogue Gyratory for 10 weeks from next Monday, August 18, as part of safety improvement works to the Gyratory..

All businesses and services within the area will be open as usual, and both pedestrian and vehicle access to Sainsbury’s and the BP Garage will be maintained throughout the work.

The project follows a public consultation in April 2012 which revealed 65 per cent of residents consulted supported the idea of making the Vogue Gyratory less hazardous.

Proposed works are intended to simplify the Vogue to make it less confusing.  Traffic signals will be replaced to improve traffic flow and enhance the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.  There will be a two-metre wide cycle lane going north, running inside a ‘floating’ bus stop which will accommodate bendy buses for the first time.  There is already a cycle lane going south.

The junction will be resurfaced and have new, clearer markings and traffic signs.

Priority traffic lights for cyclists will give a three-second head-start to help keep them clear of vehicles.  There will be better pedestrian footways and crossing points.

Lead councillor for transport Ian Davey said:  “This work is very important to upgrade the infrastructure and make the Vogue safer for everyone by creating a junction which will be much less confusing. While we are making every effort to minimise the disruption caused during these works, we would recommend seeking alternative routes where possible.”

Changes during phase two of the works…

Motorists and cyclists

Temporary closure of Upper Lewes Road at the junction with Lewes Road, with no access to or from the Gyratory. Access to all properties will be maintained via alternative routes and the rest of Upper Lewes Road will remain open. Road users are advised to plan journeys before setting out and seek alternative routes.

The traffic lights at the southern end of the Gyratory will be switched off and temporary lights will be in operation to assist pedestrians.
At times, contractors will need to reduce the northbound carriageway on Lewes Road to a single lane through the Gyratory. This will be kept to a minimum and only when necessary to ensure the safety of construction workers.

Other localised traffic management will be in place but only for short periods to facilitate the laying of cables for new traffic lights and make adjustments to the alignment of some of the traffic islands. Drivers are asked to reduce speed through the works and be alert for pedestrians and cyclists.

Pedestrians

Temporary on-demand pedestrian crossings will operate while the old traffic signals are removed at the southern end of the junction. A safe route for pedestrians will be maintained at all times.  Pedestrians are asked not to enter construction areas and instead follow the signed pedestrian routes.

Bus passengers

The Sainsbury’s bus stop will be suspended throughout this phase. To access Sainsbury’s by bus, passengers should use either the Melbourne Street or Lewes Road Bus Garage stops.

The Vogue Gyratory improvement scheme is due to be completed in December 2014. More details are on the Vogue Gyratory page on the council's website (www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/vogue)

Anyone with concerns about the construction phase can contact the council on lewes.road@brighton-hove.gov.uk or 01273 290219.