A BUS company has urged people to plan journeys in advance as services face diversion due to the city’s Pride celebrations.
Brighton and Hove will welcome thousands of people as Pride returns to the city after a two-year hiatus.
With road closures planned across the city due to the community parade and other events, the council has urged partygoers to get around the city on foot or by public transport.
Two special shuttle bus services, the 500 and 600, will be operating to and from Preston Park the Old Steine and the Brighton Pride campsite, but other services around the city will be diverted due to road closures.
Brighton and Hove Buses’ managing director Ed Wills said: “It’s fantastic that Brighton and Hove Pride is taking place this year.
“The event is hugely important to our community and we are thrilled to play our part in making sure people can travel safely to and from the event.
“We want everyone to have a fantastic time, which is why we’ll have 15 extra buses running and special services taking people to and from Preston Park, the Old Steine and Waterhall Campsite.
“I highly recommend people plan their journeys and allow plenty of time to get home.”
Paul Kemp, managing director of Brighton and Hove Pride, said: “Pride is an important event for our city with visitors coming in from across the UK and worldwide.
“We are extremely heartened by the positive working partnership and support over Pride weekend and the enthusiasm for all at Brighton and Hove Buses.”
How will services be affected today?
Eastbound services that use St James’s Street and the A259 will divert via Edward Street from the Old Steine. All coastal services from Edward Street will turn right down Upper Rock Gardens and Lower Rock Gardens to resume their normal route on the A259. The first stop to be served on the A259 will be Bedford Street.
Westbound coastal services will serve Bedford Street on the A259 and turn right onto Lower Rock Gardens and Upper Rock Gardens. Services will turn left onto Edward Street where they will resume normal route at Old Steine.
Metrobus 271 and 272 services towards Royal Sussex County Hospital will operate as normal to the Old Steine bus stop where services will turn round the Old Steine using the South West Corner to then head northbound to turn right onto Edward Street. Services will then turn right onto Upper Rock Gardens and Lower Rock Gardens to the seafront to resume their normal route to the hospital. Services out of Brighton are unaffected.
How will services be affected on Saturday?
Buses from the west turning at Churchill Square
Eastbound services terminating in Western Road will operate via Montpelier Road, Upper North Street and Regent Hill to the Clarence Square stop.
Buses from the north turning at Open Market
Services from Lewes Road and Elm Grove will terminate at the Open Market between 10.30am to 4pm and restart service from the east side of The Level.
Services from Ditchling Road will terminate at the Open Market and restart from Union Road.
Closure of London Road from 9pm
Services from Lewes Road will not serve the Open Market but will serve St Peter’s bus lanes.
Services from Ditchling Road and Elm Grove will serve the Open Market and not St Peter’s bus lanes.
Services to Lewes Road and Elm Grove will use the bus lanes and then serve The Level bus stop.
Services using Ditchling Road will use the bus lanes, then serve the temporary stop in Union Road.
Buses from the east and Coast Road services
All services will terminate at either Park Street or the Bingo Hall between 10.30am and 2.30pm.
For the entire day when open all service the SeaLife Centre will divert via Lower Rock Gardens and Edward Street.
Any service that serves St James’s Street will use Edward Street all day.
Any passengers that use the SeaLife stop or St James’s Street should go to the Edward Street American Express stop.
Detailed diversions to Brighton and Hove Bus routes
Full details of diversions to routes on Saturday can be found on the Brighton and Hove Buses website.
How will services be affected on Sunday?
From 12pm to 10.30pm, the A23 Preston Road be closed in both directions for the Preston Park festival. During this time, routes 5 and 5A and Metrobus services 271 and 272 will need to divert via Stanford Avenue, Beaconsfield Villas and Preston Drove in both directions.
The SeaLife Centre roundabout and St James’s Street will remain closed until 8am on Monday.
Eastbound services that use St James’s Street and the A259 will divert via Edward Street from the Old Steine. All coastal services from Edward Street will turn right down Upper Rock Gardens and Lower Rock Gardens to resume normal route on the A259. The first stop to be served on the A259 will be Bedford Street.
Westbound coastal services will serve Bedford Street on the A259 and turn right onto Lower Rock Gardens and Upper Rock Gardens. Services will turn left onto Edward Street where they will resume normal route at Old Steine.
Metrobus 271 and 272 services towards Royal Sussex County Hospital will operate as normal to the Old Steine bus stop where services will turn round the Old Steine using the South West Corner to then head northbound to turn right onto Edward Street. Services will then turn right onto Upper Rock Gardens and Lower Rock Gardens to the seafront to resume their normal route to the hospital. Services out of Brighton are unaffected.
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