From Friday 17 July, we’re asking for comments on the latest stage of the Valley Gardens project to create new public spaces and improve travel between Old Steine and the Palace Pier.
Phase three of the project will increase sustainable transport choices for residents, commuters and visitors with new segregated cycle lanes, traffic free walking routes and improved access for public transport.
In this final stage of the consultation, we want your views on details within the project, including the location of crossings, bus stops, parking, cycle parking, public art, seating and tree planting.
The eight-week consultation begins on 17 July and is open until 16 September 2020.
NOTE: The consultation is unavailable until 17 July
Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee Anne Pissaridou said: “Valley Gardens is a vital part of the council’s aim to become carbon neutral by 2030 through investment in our sustainable transport network.
“To meet our ambitious target, we need more people walking, cycling and using public transport to move around our city and improving travel routes and green spaces through Valley Gardens will support them to do just that.
“It’s been very pleasing to see the phases 1 & 2 of the project nearing completion. I believe Valley Gardens will also be an attractive destination in its own right; a place where visitors can enjoy new open spaces, planting and landscapes.
“It is important as many people as possible have their say on the details within the project and take part in this final stage of the consultation.”
Valley Gardens in the name given to the green spaces that run from St Peter’s Church to the Palace Pier. The project aims to improve connectivity to the city centre by simplifying the road layout, upgrading bus facilities, introducing a new cycle link and improving lighting and landscaping in the surrounding public spaces.
The existing area has the highest collision rate in the city, which has seen 154 collisions over five years, 30 of which resulted in serious injury.
Work on phases 1 and 2 of the project, from St Peter’s Church to Victoria Gardens, began in September 2018 and is now close to completion (pictured below). The core objectives for Phase 3 were approved by the Environment, Transport and Sustainability (ETS) committee in June 2018. Design options for the area were then developed and a single, preferred design option was presented to the committee on 9 October 2018. Committee members gave approval for council officers to undertake further development work on the design and hold a public consultation.
A public consultation took place from 15 October to 25 November 2018, the results of which were reported to ETS committee in January 2019. Approval of the Final Preliminary Design of Phase 3 was given by the council’s ETS Committee in February 2019.
The estimated cost of Phase 3 is £7.84 million. The majority (£6m) of the cost will be funded by a central government pot of money called the Local Growth Fund. We successfully bid for this funding through the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), specifically for a transport project. In January 2019, the LEP confirmed local growth funding of £6 million.
The LEP requires us to contribute funding for the project of at least 15% of the project cost. This means that we will contribute £1.84 million from our Local Transport Plan budget, local contributions and potentially private sector development contributions.
View frequently asked questions about phase 3 of the Valley Gardens Project.
