A259 Hove to Portslade active travel scheme – have your say

People across Brighton & Hove are being given the chance to have their say on plans to improve active travel along our seafront.

A six week consultation is being launched on Monday 16 June on ambitious proposals to provide better, safer and accessible travel options for residents and visitors between Fourth Avenue, Hove and just beyond the city’s western boundary at Mill Road.

The scheme would improve walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure in a key part of the seafront, linking people with the new Hove Beach Park facilities, the promenade, shops, attractions, a new King Alfred Leisure Centre and towards Southwick, Shoreham, Lancing and Worthing.

They include:

• A separated two-way cycle lane  
• New pavements and bus stops
• Safer, better aligned crossings and junctions
• New loading bays and disabled parking bays

The scheme is split into two phases:

Phase one  From Fourth Avenue to Wharf Road

Phase two  From Wharf Road to the city’s western boundary

Residents have the chance to comment on either of the two phases, both and the scheme as a whole. The closing date for comments is Sunday 27 July.

More details about the scheme can be found on our Your Voice consultation platform.

Exciting and ambitious

Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, said: “The plans we have for this part of the seafront are exciting and ambitious. They will make a huge difference to people seeking a better, safer and more sustainable way to travel.

“The improvements will encourage more of our residents and visitors to cycle, while and pavements will make walking and wheeling safer and more accessible.

Well placed bus stops and phased traffic lights will improve traffic flows while the new  crossings align with access to amenities and public transport.

“Better infrastructure means we can give people options and opportunities to travel actively and sustainably. 

“We want to hear the views of residents from across the city. It’s important to listen to their feedback and I’d encourage everyone to look at the plans and fill in the survey.”

Picture: Section near Hove Beach Park and Hove Lagoon

Timeline

November 2021 A six-week public consultation is launched on proposals on active travel improvements between Fourth Avenue and Wharf Road.

September 2022 Following the consultation, councillors approve the construction of walking, cycling and accessibility improvements.

June 2023 A special meeting takes place in which the council’s new administration agreed to re-examine the plans and instead provide bi-directional cycle lanes, reduce the loss of traffic lanes where possible and ensure the route is as direct as possible.

June 2024 Cabinet members are shown a vision for walking, wheeling and cycling along the seafront. They agree that initial designs for a new scheme between Fourth Avenue and the city’s western boundary should be developed and put out for full public consultation.

June 2025 Public consultation launched on new-look scheme.

Picture: Victoria Terrace section

Delivering high quality infrastructure

Councillor Muten added: “It was important we reviewed the previous design of this scheme to make it better for the city and our residents. It’s vital we get this right.

“The new-look scheme now provides safer travel for pedestrians and cyclists all the way to the western boundary of the city, while minimising the need to remove traffic lanes and impact on traffic flow.

“We strongly believe in promoting walking, wheeling and cycling through the delivery of high-quality active-travel infrastructure.”