Alternative Valley Gardens slammed by environmental activist

Chris Todd has blasted the Valley Garden Forum’s vision for the major Brighton works as a “bodged” scheme and a “recipe for disaster”.

The alternative plan for Valley Gardens

The Brighton and Hove City Council development, known as “Valley Gardens phase three” will involve replacing the seafront Aquarium roundabout with a junction in a bid to tackle congestion in the city centre.

The forum, which is made up of residents and businesses, have unveiled their own idea for the controversial plans.

They proposed moving bike lanes away from traffic, the creation of a two-way bus route and scrapping the highly controversial T-junction planned near the Palace Pier.

They say their plans, which propose a “cycling hub” in Pool Valley, will be better for cyclists.

But cyclist and long-time campaigner for environmental issues in the city Mr Todd said the plans are “dangerous” and ignore issues on the promenade.

He said: “I have pointed out the dangers but they have ignored them as it doesn’t go with what they want to do.”

The council’s plan will see the cycle route hug the gardens and cross with pedestrians and traffic near the pier.

The council's plan for Valley Gardens

The alternative place moves the route to the east of the bus lane and through Pool Valley.

Mr Todd said: “With their plan, there’s a long length of potential conflict as the bus and tram shelters are in a very busy pedestrian area

“And the Pool Valley crossing requires people to cross the equivalent to six lanes of traffic.

“The bike hub – what is it? Where does the money come for that?

“I don’t think they even know what they’re talking about.”

Mr Todd said the alternative proposals also ignored the seafront promenade.

He said: “The council’s scheme widens the promenade from the west of Brighton Palace Pier to the junction with Pool Valley, expanding three metres for a wider cycle path and pavement.

“Their plan is substandard.

“It’s too narrow and creates conflict with pedestrians and the cycle lane.”

The campaigner, who says the council’s scheme is better but not perfect, pointed out other issues.

He said alternative plans to add two extra junctions would slow traffic down, cycle connections to Kemp Town looked worse and relocating the coach station would fill up the Old Steine more with buses and coaches, thus undermining public space.