Division over 24-hour junction closures in Brighton and Hove

Brighton and Hove City Council has confirmed plans to close two junctions in the city as part of trial measures to make roads safer and ensure social distancing outside schools.

From Monday, February 22, the junctions will be closed between Somerhill Road and Lansdowne Road in Hove, near Brunswick Primary, and between Queen’s Park Rise and Queen’s Park Terrace, outside St Luke’s Primary.

READ MORE: Junctions to be closed 24 hours a day outside two schools in Brighton and Hove

There are plans to install bollards, so only cyclists and pedestrians will have access to these streets from one end.

The measures form part of the next phase in the School Streets scheme, which was introduced last September to aid social distancing outside schools amid the pandemic.

The idea is that fewer parked vehicles allows more space for pedestrians, while the scheme also encourages parents to walk or cycle their children to school, promoting healthier forms of travel.

A diagram from a council document shows plans for the closure of the junction between Somerhill Road and Lansdowne Road in Hove

The council said on Friday residents in both areas had been sent a letter informing them about the measures.

However, The Argus spoke to two residents in Somerhill Road yesterday who said they were not aware of the plans.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "That's a bit ridiculous as it's a main road down there on Lansdowne Road.

"I walk and take the bus personally but I think people with cars might be annoyed as they will have to go all the way around to get to town."

The southern end of Somerhill Road in Hove

Another said: "I did not know anything about the road being totally closed at this end.

"I don't think it will be a problem if we can get in at the other end though."

The Argus also spoke to city councillors about the plans.

Cllr John Allcock, Labour councillor for Goldsmid ward, said he is supportive of the School Streets scheme.

When asked about the 24-hour junction closure in Somerhill Road, he said: "It gives us an opportunity to look at it, as it's under the Experimental Traffic Order.

"It gives us a chance to see if there are any issues.

“I volunteered for School Streets at Brunswick Primary and it has gone down really well overall.

"I only ever received one email of concern from a resident in Somerhill Road about School Streets.

Cllr John Allcock

"It amazed me as there was such a good community feeling in the mornings. It has transformed the street.”

Cllr Allcock said he had previously been aware of concerns about the speed cars were going outside Brunswick Primary, and also the issue of double parking during school hours.

He said: "I had asked our transport team to look at different forms of traffic control there before coronavirus.

"Wavertree House was getting fed up with people - including a minority of parents - parking in their spaces as it needs emergency access all the time."

Wavertree House, a residential home for people with sight problems, sits at the southern end of Somerhill Road, near the junction with Lansdowne Road.

Labour Cllr Jackie O' Quinn, who also represents Goldsmid ward, said she supports School Streets but does not agree with the 24-hour junction closures.

She said: "I think it will be a really bad idea to close them all the time - what's the point?

Cllr Jackie O'Quinn

"It's overkill and unnecessary.

"It becomes something else altogether which people have not agreed to or been told about.

"I do approve of the School Streets scheme, but at the moment we are not in normal times. We have not seen how these would operate when we're not in Covid.

"I would want them to be monitored very closely."