Red Routes

Find out where our Red Routes are, what they are, and how we enforce restrictions.

Updates to Red Routes in Brighton & Hove

In April 2024 we introduced Red Routes onto the A23 (London Road and Preston Road) and Lewes Road. 

Find out how these routes improved street safety

In March 2025 Cabinet approved the design and implementation of a new Red Route on Western Road, from Holland to Montpelier Road. This is part of our work to improve safety and access for businesses, tackle anti-social parking and keep traffic moving.

We held a public consultation on the introduction of the route last year. 

Read the results of the consultation 

The cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure approved introducing this new Red Route as an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO). This means that for the first 12 months we'll be able to make changes quickly, where appropriate, based on feedback.

During the first 2 weeks of the new Red Route, we'll issue warning notices rather than Penalty Charge Notices (PCN). This is to allow time to adjust to the changes.

We conducted a study on the proposed and existing disabled bays on the route which shows good coverage of the Red Route within a 50 meter radius of any given disabled bay in the area. We also recently sent a letter to residents in the affected area explaining the upcoming changes. 

Download the map or a copy of the letter.

We'll publish more updates on the implementation in due course.

What Red Routes are

Red Routes are roads marked with double red lines, instead of double yellow lines. There are signs indicating the start of a Red Route.

On Red Routes, you can only stop, park and load or unload in specially marked bays. These bays have signs that give you information on restrictions and timings.

Red Route signage

A white sign outlined in red. Black text reads 'Red Route. No stopping at any time except in signed bays.

Sign at the start of a Red Route.

A white sign outlined in red. Black text reads 'Red Route. No stopping at any time except Disabled badge holders. Only 3 hours. No return within 1 hour.'

Sign on a Red Route disabled parking bay.

A white sign outlined in red. Black text reads 'Red Route. No stopping at any time except loading only'

Sign on a Red Route loading bay

The benefits of Red Routes

Red Routes are already in place in many parts of the country and help to keep traffic moving in busy areas. This helps to improve journey times and reduce air pollution.

Red Routes also improve safety for:

  • pedestrians - by preventing anti-social parking
  • cyclists - who no longer need to manoeuvre around vehicles parked in cycle lanes or on double lines
  • people using buses - with vehicles no longer parking in bus stops, it will be safer to board and alight
  • drivers - who will no longer have to pull out to pass cars parked anti-socially

Using the Red Route marked bays

The switch to Red Routes is so that we can better enforce the parking restrictions already in place. There will be signs that tell you what the restrictions are.

We will observe the loading bays using cameras, and we can issue Penalty Charge Notices if we see a vehicle parked and not actively loading or unloading.

Deliveries

Deliveries will only be able to take place in the designated loading bays.

If you are expecting large deliveries, moving house or having work done to a property on a Red Route, then you should apply for a parking bay suspension in advance.

Vehicle exemptions on Red Routes

Blue Badge holders can be picked up or dropped off, so long as the vehicle is not parked. We will use discretion in cases where, for example, a wheelchair is being taken out of a vehicle.

Licensed Hackney Carriages and private hire vehicles can stop to pick up or drop off passengers.

Emergency services and Brighton and Hove Council refuse and recycling vehicles are exempt from restrictions, but not at bus stops.

Commercial waste vehicles can stop to carry out waste collection activities, but only on the double red lines and must move on once these activities have finished.

How we enforce restrictions on Red Routes

If you were to park on a Red Route, we have the legal powers to issue PCNs using CCTV. This would be alongside on-site work from our Civil Enforcement Officers.

The charge for receiving a PCN for stopping on a Red Route will be £70, reduced to £35 if paid in 14 days.

This is the same as the current PCN charge for stopping on double yellow lines, bus stops or entering bus lanes.

How to pay a PCN.

How to appeal a PCN.