Western Road set for major improvements this autumn

A programme of road reconstruction and resurfacing is set to be carried out on Western Road this autumn, delivering long-awaited improvements to one of Brighton & Hove's most heavily used routes.

Used by thousands of people every day, including drivers, bus passengers, delivery vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians, Western Road is a vital transport route. Residents, businesses and road users have regularly raised concerns about the condition of the road. 

The improvement scheme will cover the section of Western Road between Holland Road and Montpelier Road and is due to start on Monday 28 September, subject to final approvals.

Construction is expected to take around 45 days, and to minimise the overall length of disruption, there will be phased road closures.

Throughout the project, pedestrian access will be maintained wherever it is safe and practical to do so. 

Detailed plans are still being developed, but further information on traffic management, bus diversions, deliveries and access arrangements will be shared with residents and businesses before work starts.

A smoother road

Work to resurface the road was approved as part of the council’s capital programme in February. But assessment of the road this month showed structural issues that mean the work required needs to go much deeper thana standard resurfacing project. Significant deterioration in parts of the carriageway mean sections of the road will need to be rebuilt as well as resurfaced.

Work will include deeper excavation, reconstruction of damaged road sections, drainage repairs, resurfacing and improvements to essential road infrastructure. This will result in a much more durable surface and reduce the need for future repairs.

Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, said: “Residents have been asking us to sort out Western Road for a long time. We are listening and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. 

“This is such a busy route. Alongside cars and lorries, around 700 buses pass along the corridor every day taking thousands of bus passengers between Hove and the city centre. 

“The road surface is not good enough. This major investment will repair the road surface, tackle potholes and other longstanding defects to create safer, smoother and more reliable journeys for everyone who uses it.

“While work on this scale will cause disruption, it’s essential to ensure the road is fit for the future. 

“We don’t want to leave this any longer. It has to be done before the temperature drops.  

“We are working closely with local residents, businesses and bus operators to minimise disruption and work through how to best keep the road accessible.”

A safer road

Alongside this improvement work, if plans are approved at Cabinet in September, a Red Route will be marked on to the newly resurfaced road between Holland Road and Montpelier Road.

Introducing a Red Route will improve safety through more effective enforcement to tackle the long-standing issue of anti-social parking. This is turn will make bus journeys better, more reliable and accessible, and keep traffic in the city moving.

A Red Route will change the current parking restrictions from double yellow lines to double red lines, which can then be more effectively enforced using CCTV cameras, reducing the number of illegally parked vehicles, making it safer for pedestrians and shoppers.

At the same time, 10 new loading bays will be installed along the Red Route area, introducing 140 metres of loading space for shops and traders that isn’t currently available. 

The council will also be introducing more disabled bays on both Western Road and its side streets, helping to support people with disabilities and Blue Badge holders.

The cabinet report follows public consultation held last year which received more than a thousand responses from local residents and businesses. Feedback showed more people would welcome the Red Route as it would improve safety, bus times and keep traffic moving.

If approved, the Red Route will be installed under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) meaning we’ll also be able to make rapid adjustments in the first 12 months if there’s a need.

Councillor Muten added: “We’ve been listening to concerns from residents and businesses about the safety of Western Road.

“It has a long history of anti-social parking which is dangerous and causes congestion and it is important that decisions about the Red Route now go to Cabinet for discussion.

“Red Route schemes in London Road and Lewes Road have shown how they can make our streets safer and cleaner while maintaining footfall so these communities can continue to thrive. 

“We also know that, if introduced, this will be a big change, so we’ll continue to listen and monitor the road carefully during the first year and make improvements where needed.”