Walking

The proposals provide more direct walking routes to and from:

  • the seafront
  • The Lanes
  • St James’s Street

New crossing points will also be better aligned to make it easier for pedestrians to cross.

All crossing points will have dropped kerbs and tactile paving to improve accessibility for everyone, including people with disabilities and those with buggies and pushchairs.

Valley Gardens is identified as a high-priority strategic route in the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), a strategic plan identifying routes and areas in the city for improvement over the next 10 years.

Cycling

A new fully segregated 2-way cycle lane will link up with the existing cycle facility in Phases 1 and 2. This will provide a safer and more direct link to the seafront. The lane will include dedicated cycling crossing facilities across the A259 by the Palace Pier, where it will connect with east-west routes across the city and beyond.

The provision of dedicated cycle lanes will improve the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. The lanes are designed to close the missing link in the cycle network and provide a more inviting environment for people to cycle in.

Buses

Brighton & Hove’s bus network plays a crucial role in helping people move around the city. The network is an integral part of helping the council meet its objective of a carbon-neutral city by 2030.

We have developed a Bus Service Improvement Plan to set out our strategic goals in relation to buses.

The Valley Gardens Phase 3 area is a key destination and bus interchange hub. The scheme aims to improve the overall experience for public transport users.

Bus services

All existing bus routes will continue to be able to use the Old Steine as they do at present.

Northbound buses will run and stop to the east of the War Memorial rather than the west.

Westbound bus services will use the new loop to the southwest of Old Steine as St James’s St becomes one way eastbound from Castle Square.

Bus stops

Buses currently stopping next to the Royal Pavilion northbound will stop in Castle Square and at a new stop on Pavilion Parade.

More space than required is currently dedicated to bus stops or bus layover areas. We've identified opportunities to consolidate some of these so services are not split across so many stops.

Traffic modelling has indicated that there will not be an overall adverse impact on bus journey times or a significant impact on individual routes.

Bus stops will be furnished with new bus shelters and electronic passenger information. All will have accessible kerbs.

The old bus shelters next to the Royal Pavilion are listed and will be retained.

Pool Valley Coach Station

The entrance to Pool Valley Coach Station will remain. National Express coaches will be able to access it as they do at present.

There will be no further bus gates. There will be a bus lane running northbound from the Old Steine into Castle Square. There will also be a dedicated northbound bus lane and bus stop area next to the Royal Pavilion on Pavilion Parade.

Taxis

Taxis will have access to all routes. Taxis will be able to access North Street and St James’s Street as they do at present. They will also be able to use the new loop to turn.

Two taxi ranks are included. One adjacent to the Brighton Palace Pier, westbound and another by the Royal Albion Hotel.

Traffic

Impacts on general traffic journey times are not expected to be significant. Traffic flow was a consideration in the selection of the chosen design. Traffic modelling results were significantly improved following the revised design produced in 2021 which included direct pedestrian crossing points and a protected cycling junction.

The roundabout at Brighton Palace Pier is being replaced by traffic signals. A signalised junction is predicted to reduce the likelihood of road traffic collisions.

The revised layout will make the most efficient use of space, allowing for direct walking and cycling crossing points to be introduced. The council’s traffic control centre will monitor and regulate traffic flow through the new junction, especially during busy periods.

Traffic is being moved to the eastern side of the Old Steine to simplify the road layout and provide a direct route to and from the seafront.

Traffic will continue to be able to travel north and south along the A23 as it does at the moment. The main difference is that general traffic will be in a dual-carriageway on the eastern side of the Old Steine rather than in the current circular system.

The designs are intended to address some of the common causes of collisions, particularly at the pier roundabout which will be replaced by a signalised junction.

Car parking

An access road will be retained on the southwest side of the Old Steine. All existing private car parks will continue to be accessible. Vehicle access to properties will be retained where legal access is provided at present.

Public pay and display car parking bays on Old Steine will be removed.

Doctor's parking spaces will be retained on Prince’s Street.

Disabled car parking

Eight disabled bays will be provided. Six of these will be to the south of Old Steine Gardens and 2 to the northeast of the war memorial at the southern end of Prince’s Street. This is an overall increase of 4 disabled parking spaces in the Valley Gardens Phase 3 area.

Motorcycles

Dedicated motorcycle parking will be provided on the south west corner of the Old Steine.