Living Streets representative's report for 2006/7

Better access for pedestrians

By Bruce Smith, NLCA Living Streets representative

Living Streets representatives have continued our periodic meetings with Walking and Cycling officers of Brighton & Hove City Council - including Dean Spears, who has spoken at a North Laine Community Association meeting (and possibly at other community group meetings).

Among matters discussed have been the continuing programme of improvements to pavements, notably dropped kerbs; some progress over the question of pavement parking - eg a scheme at the foot of Elm Grove, not far away from North Laine, will improve pedestrian and cycling access and deter cars from using the pavement to park on - while the whole question of possible decriminalisation, ie the Council taking over responsibility for this latter problem from the police, was to be raised at Traffic Committee. A street audit, using the Living Streets kit, will be carried out in the Boundary Road area, with the Hove contact and myself taking part.

Bus and other traffic movement around the Old Steine

Can the bus contra-flow system be removed, the buses being sent round the south side of the Steine, without having buses stuck in traffic at busy times? We will contribute our ideas, of course, but any progress, it seems, will have to wait until Southern Water has finished its digging-up and filling-in and also, realistically, until after the May elections.

Damaged pavements

If you know of any sites that seem actually or potentially dangerous, you can report these by ringing 292929 and asking for Street Works. Please tell us about it too, so that we can try to monitor developments.

Car-free Day

This is not until Saturday 22nd September 2007, but if you would like to suggest a local street - having previously approached your neighbours - tell Abby Hone (abby.hone@brighton-hove.gov.uk) with copy to me, or just tell me so that I can pass on the suggestion. The street would be closed off for the day, allowing for various events, eg street parties or performances that local people want to put on. e welcome your views and advice on these and all other pedestrian-related issues. The same applies to the street audit mentioned above, where local residents might like to help, or just come along to get experience, to be used in a more intensive operation in their street(s) than we carried out last time.

New Road

The works are at last drawing to an end - and the terrible crush outside the Theatre Royal on matinee days will soon be relieved. We will all need to monitor how this scheme works: will it be safe and convenient for pedestrians, or will a few rogue cyclists meander all over the place, and more than a few selfish motorists see the area as a nice new free parking lot?

[Previously published in the North Laine Runner, no 185, March/April 2007]