Have your say on latest Valley Gardens plans

Plans to create new public spaces and improve travel between the Old Steine and Palace Pier are set to be put to the public for their views.
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Plans to create new public spaces and improve travel between the Old Steine and Palace Pier are set to be put to the public for their views.

Brighton and Hove City Council is consulting on the latest stage of the Valley Gardens project.

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Phase three of the project will increase sustainable transport choices for residents, commuters and visitors with new segregated cycle lanes, traffic free walking routes and improved access for public transport.

In this final stage of the consultation, the council wants to hear the thoughts of businesses and residents on details within the project, including the location of crossings, bus stops, parking, cycle parking, public art, seating and tree planting.

The eight-week consultation begins on Friday July 17 and is open until September 16.

A spokesman for the council said: “Valley Gardens is a vital part of the council’s aim to become carbon neutral by 2030 through investment in our sustainable transport network.

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“To meet our ambitious target, we need more people walking, cycling and using public transport to move around our city and improving travel routes and green spaces through Valley Gardens will support them to do just that.

“It’s been very pleasing to see the phases 1 & 2 of the project nearing completion. I believe Valley Gardens will also be an attractive destination in its own right; a place where visitors can enjoy new open spaces, planting and landscapes.

“It is important as many people as possible have their say on the details within the project and take part in this final stage of the consultation.”

Project background

Valley Gardens in the name given to the green spaces that run from St Peter’s Church to the Palace Pier. The project aims to improve connectivity to the city centre by simplifying the road layout, upgrading bus facilities, introducing a new cycle link and improving lighting and landscaping in the surrounding public spaces.

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The existing area has the highest collision rate in the city, which has seen 154 collisions over five years, 30 of which resulted in serious injury.

Work on phases one and two of the project, from St Peter’s Church to Victoria Gardens, began in September 2018 and are now close to completion.

Funding for the project

The estimated cost of phase three is £7.84 million. The majority (£6m) of the cost will be funded by a central government pot of money called the Local Growth Fund. The council successfully bid for this funding through the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), specifically for a transport project. In January 2019, the LEP confirmed local growth funding of £6 million.

The LEP requires the council to contribute funding for the project of at least 15 per cent of the project cost. This means that the council will contribute £1.84 million from its Local Transport Plan budget, local contributions and potentially private sector development contributions.

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