Controversial red route approved by city council

A new red route along a shopping street in Brighton & Hove has been approved by councillors.

The red route will prohibit drivers from stopping on Western Road, between Montpelier Road and Holland Road, from November after a vote by Brighton & Hove City Council's cabinet.

Some traders on the road had opposed the change and a petition against the red route had been presented to the council.

Cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure Trevor Muten said the restrictions would "help tackle long-standing problems with obstructive parking, congestion and delays".

The road already has double yellow lines. Under the Highway Code, this allows stopping to collect or drop off passengers, or for loading, but no waiting.

Blue Badge holders can park on double yellows for three hours.

On red routes, stopping for any purpose becomes prohibited except for licensed taxis and Blue Badge holders.

Fines for stopping are £70, reduced to £35 if paid early.

The council proposes introducing 10 loading bays on the stretch of road, as well as disabled bays on the road and its side streets.

The cabinet meeting heard that parking wardens recorded 2,315 occasions of drivers who stopped illegally on Western Road but left within five minutes of seeing an enforcement officer.

The Western Road Community Group said it was considering legal action against the council over its decision.

The council had already received legal correspondence following a meeting in June, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

After the meeting, group member Catherine Lane said the council had "made a shameful decision".

Alastair Gourlay, owner of Real Patisserie on the road, said he was "absolutely gutted by the decision" and that the cabinet "did not take into account what we had told them".

But Brighton and Hove Buses accessibility and communities manager Victoria Garcia told the meeting that red routes could "help create a transport network that is safer, more reliable and more accessible".

The order implementing the red route can remain in place for up to 18 months, after which a permanent order would have to be made.

The red route will be introduced following closures on Western Road for substantial road repairs.

The restrictions are already in place on the A23 London Road and on Lewes Road.

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