A road where buses have been re-routed has been damaged shortly after a previous diversion was forced to close for repairs.

Buses in Brighton were first diverted onto Upper North Street as part of council roadworks on Western Road but this was forced to stop due to damage to the route.

Now, after the buses were re-routed along Montpelier Road towards Seven Dials, further damage has now been spotted, sparking further concern.

Kevin Lindsey, 68, who lives on Montpelier Road, said: “I’m not saying it’s down to the buses but it is coincidental that it’s happening after the buses were diverted. It definitely wasn’t before.

The Argus: The damage to the roadThe damage to the road (Image: NQ Staff)

“I couldn’t say for sure but it seems a bit strange that we are getting a bus a minute up the road and now this has happened.

“I don’t know what they would have to do if they have to close that road too.”

The hole in the road was spotted on Montpelier Road, near the crossroads with Montpelier Terrace, shortly after the buses began to divert.

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Much like the damage on Upper North Street, the hole has been leaking water which has been flowing down the hill towards Western Road.

Buses are being diverted as a result of roadworks on Western Road which are scheduled to last for 18 months from January, 2023.

After the previous damage to Upper North Street, Brighton and Hove City Council denied that the damage to the roads was caused by the buses diverting down the street.

A council spokesman reiterated this statement, adding: “The stretch of Montpelier Road where the new water leak has occurred was only resurfaced six months ago.

The Argus: Buses driving over the holeBuses driving over the hole (Image: NQ Staff)

“The current problem is entirely unrelated to the buses currently using the road.

“It has been caused by problems with Southern Water’s ageing underground infrastructure.

“Southern Water have previously made us aware of issues with their deteriorating infrastructure in central areas of the city, and of their plan for a programme of reconstruction work.

“We are pressing Southern Water as hard as we can to sort out the problems on Upper North Street and Montpelier Road as quickly as possible.”