Madeira Drive Reopens To Eastbound Vehicles 'Early Next Week'

Friday, 16 October 2020 12:46

By Charlotte Baker @Ch4rtweets

Brighton and Hove City Council are planning to reopen Madeira Drive to vehicles next week (week commencing October 19)

The road was shut to vehicles during the height of the coronavirus lockdown to allow residents to exercise and allow for social distancing.

It was proposed that the new arrangement could be made permanent, but this faced a backlash from members of the community such as a group of Mods and Rockers who united for a demonstration in July.

Work is now underway on 'phase one' of the reopening which should be complete 'early next week', according to the authority.

It was agreed at the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee last month that the historic road would be opened to eastbound vehicles, with entry from the Palace Pier roundabout, exiting at Duke’s Mound.

Officials said new signage is being put up to allow vehicles to travel eastbound along the full length of Madeira Drive, exiting at Duke's Mound.

Cyclists are encouraged to use the upper promenade cycle facility, or cycle eastbound on the carriageway.

All parking spaces on the north side of the carriageway will be available to motorists.

Parking bays on the south side of the carriageway will be suspended, with the exception of spaces available to Blue Badge holders and close to Yellowave.

In coming weeks a second phase of work will be carried out.

This will include the reallocation of road space to install a 4m wide protected cycle lane, to ensure the lane is wide enough for all types of bikes.

Blue Badge bays will be increased from 14 to 25, and the orientation of pay and display spaces will be changed.

The authourity said:

"We will be working to minimise disruption during phase two of the scheme which may also be subject to some minor amendments and checks before implementation.

"The changes have been made with feedback from community groups, local businesses, the Covid-19 Action Group and seafront office and will come under an Experimental Traffic Order.

"This means we will have the flexibility to develop the scheme further if required.

Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee, Amy Heley said:

"I’m pleased we have found an option that will allow everyone to travel in Madeira Drive safely while supporting our local businesses.

"This demonstrates our willingness to listen and adapt our plans to changing circumstances and needs of different users.

"I’m looking forward to seeing Madeira Drive as a space that can be continued to be enjoyed by all users.

"Cyclists will have use of a spacious and protected cycle lane; pedestrians can walk freely on the upper promenade and those who do need to use a vehicle will still be able to do so.

“I’m also pleased that there will be an increase in parking for Blue Badge holders.

“We are still in the middle of a pandemic, and there is an ongoing need to physically distance ourselves, but we also want everyone to enjoy safe and accessible travel around our city and to improve infrastructure for active travel."