A decision to introduce a red route on the western end of Western Road in Brighton is facing a formal challenge, with 14 councillors requesting a review of the scheme over concerns about the evidence supporting its implementation and its potential impact on businesses, accessibility and loading arrangements.
The request follows Brighton and Hove City Council’s cabinet decision on Thursday 17 September to proceed with the scheme, which covers the section of Western Road between Holland Road and Montpelier Road.
The call-in request was submitted by five Conservative, seven Green and two Independent councillors. If accepted, the decision will be referred to the council’s Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.
The request argues that the decision was made without sufficient evidence to support the scheme’s stated objectives and raises questions about the adequacy of the consultation, loading provision and assessment of its potential economic impact.
The proposed red route is intended to address issues including obstructive parking, road safety, bus journey times and congestion.
However, traders and residents have raised concerns about the potential consequences for businesses and road users, including people with disabilities.
At a public meeting earlier this month, attendees questioned the council’s changing explanations for the scheme and argued that restrictions could make it more difficult to carry out loading and unloading safely and legally. They also warned that reduced access and changes to stopping arrangements could affect the viability of businesses operating along the route.
Objectors have further argued that Western Road differs in character from Lewes Road and London Road, where red routes have previously been introduced, and questioned the absence of an economic impact assessment before the decision was taken.
They also called for more effective enforcement of existing parking restrictions, saying that the proposed provision for disabled parking and loading bays would be insufficient to meet demand.
Under the current arrangements, yellow-line restrictions allow loading and unloading, as well as passenger pick-up and drop-off, along much of the affected section, subject to existing restrictions.
The formal request for scrutiny identifies four principal concerns about the decision-making process:
- The absence of Western Road-specific evidence supporting the scheme’s stated primary objective.
- A potentially incomplete summary of consultation responses, with written submissions, including those from businesses, not provided.
- Loading provision that has not been tested against the council’s own evidence of demand.
- The decision to assess the scheme’s economic impact only after implementation.
The request follows a public meeting attended by Conservative councillor Alistair McNair and Green councillor Ollie Sykes, where traders and residents outlined their objections to the proposals.
(Picture: Mapillary)
