Buses will be allowed down a main Brighton road for the first time in eight months ending controversial diversions in the city.

Hundreds of buses using had previously been diverted along Upper North Street and later through Seven Dials since work on Western Road began in January.

Now, the buses will once again be allowed down the road heading eastbound ending months of disruption.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey said: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to bring forward the reopening of Western Road ahead of schedule.

“We know the diversion has been disruptive for the residents and bus passengers and I’d like to thank them for their patience during the work.

“The improvements to Western Road are already beginning to take shape and I’m really looking forward to seeing the finished result for this very busy part of the city.”

The Argus understands that buses will return along the eastbound section of Western Road between Montpelier Road and Churchill Square from today - although buses were still being diverted at the time of writing.

Despite buses returning down the road, bus stops near Clarence Square will be permanently closed.

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Work on Western Road is still continuing and is slated to be finished by June 2024.

Daytime works will now be managed by temporary traffic lights on the road. The road will still be closed at night in periods until January 2024 while resurfacing work continues.

Residents had previously shared their frustrations with the number of buses being diverted past their houses.

Upper North Street was also closed for many months after a water leak on the road. While many have blamed the buses, the council denies that the increased traffic caused the leak.

Buses were also diverted through Seven Dials for several months in order to reach Churchill Square.

Plans to renovate Western Road are designed to make the area a “more attractive place to shop and spend time in” as well as improving the road for cyclists.

Changes include improvements to pedestrian crossings, more cycle parking, tree planting and new street lighting.