Hove Traders Protest as Red Route Markings Begin on Western Road
Dozens of protesters gathered on Western Road as workers started painting road markings for a planned red route that will ban all stopping.
Protest halts initial work
Dozens of people gathered on Western Road in Hove on Thursday 5 November to protest against a red route scheme. Workers had begun painting road markings for the planned route, though the protest initially stopped much of the work. Painters were able to continue with loading bay and junction markings.
Traders' concerns
Business owners and residents have opposed the red route since it was proposed last year, submitting a petition signed by more than 3,000 people to Brighton and Hove City Council. Traders say that almost no premises have rear access and that the proposed loading bays will be too few to handle deliveries securely in line with health and safety law.
Catherine Lane, a representative of Western Road Community Group who lives and works in the area, said: "People of every nationality just turned up spontaneously as it was not formally organised, uniting to protest against what the Labour cabinet are doing to the high street we love and the thousand-plus jobs that depend on it." She added that protesters plan to return every night and said: "They will be peaceful and legal and will spring up at any time of day or night."
How red routes work
Unlike double yellow lines which permitted stopping but not parking (except for blue badge holders), red routes ban all stopping 24 hours a day. The new route can be enforced by cameras, making tickets more likely.
The council approved the £200,000 scheme in June. After traders threatened legal action, the decision was made again by the cabinet in September. Opposition councillors requested a "call in" but a scrutiny committee declined to overturn it.
Safety data and support
The council published data in April showing that earlier red routes on London Road and Lewes Road reduced injuries significantly. Injuries fell from 15 to nine on London Road and from 11 to three on Lewes Road since the lines were painted. Both Brighton and Hove Buses and Buswatch have backed the Western Road scheme, citing congestion and service delays.
Nash Travelman, chair of Buswatch, said: "We absolutely welcome the fundamental right to protest but cannot condone one that deliberately gets in the way of workers who are carrying out the work."
The red route is due to come into force this month. Financial projections forecast it could raise £50,000 in income once camera enforcement begins.
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