Mini roundabout in Hove must be made safer according to councillor

The junction, which connects Goldstone Villas and Clarendon Villas in Hove, has been the scene of several incidents over the years.

On Monday, the road was closed after a cyclist was hit by a hearse on the mini roundabout. She was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Last year, an 81-year-old man called for a pedestrian crossing to be installed after he was hit by a car and left with bruised ribs.

A cyclist was hit at the mini roundabout on Monday, May 23

Brighton and Hove City Council told The Argus it hopes to carry out improvements in the area early next year.

Councillor Gary Wilkinson, opposition spokesman for the city council's environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “I was shocked and saddened to hear of yet another collision at the junction of Goldstone Villas and Clarendon Villas.

“The mini roundabout at this junction is horrendous for both pedestrians and cyclists. I've been in regular contact with local residents and they are right in asking for something to be urgently done about this dangerous crossroads.”

Sussex Police have previously submitted a form to the Highways Agency “to highlight the need for a pedestrian crossing at this busy location”. Cllr Wilkinson said he supported this.

John Hadman was hit by a car at the roundabout in November 2020

The junction ranked second highest priority in the city for work to start on a crossing in a committee document last November. Number one was a crossing location at London Road and The Deneway in Brighton.

Cllr Wilkinson added: “The council’s own officers even highlighted the junction as the second highest priority in the city for progression under a pedestrian crossing priority programme last year when analysing road crossings.

“I have urged Brighton and Hove City Council to update its road safety strategy. A motion that I supported asking for an updated road safety strategy, that included road danger reduction measures and increased pedestrian crossings, was passed by the council over a year ago but has not yet materialised.

There have been a number of accidents at the roundabout over the years

“Why does the Green administration not see the urgency in this? Almost all road deaths and injuries are preventable events.

“Safe mobility around our city is central to the quality of life of all who live and work in our city. An updated strategy will set out our vision for road safety and inform policies to achieve that goal. The people of Brighton and Hove should be able to go about their daily lives without being placed under undue risk of injury from traffic.”

A council spokesman said: “We were saddened to hear of the incident at the junction of Goldstone Villas and Clarendon Villas. We hope those involved make a full recovery.  

“This junction forms part of a project to improve three of the top ten crossings identified in our Pedestrian Crossing Priority Scheme.  

“All are in the Hove Station area. The project will also improve the public realm and making cycling in the area safer. 

“Our transport and highways team is already working on possible options for this project. 

“Once we have some specific proposals we will consult with residents and businesses in the Hove Station area as well as the bus company, taxi representatives and other interested parties. 

“We hope to be able to carry out an agreed set of improvements early next year.”