Western Road Red Route Scheme Advances Despite Trader Protests

Protests continue as work begins

Dozens of protesters gathered on Western Road in Hove on Thursday evening as workers prepared to paint road markings for a new red route. The initial demonstration appeared to halt work temporarily, although workers were able to continue painting in loading bays and junction markings.

Business owners and residents have opposed the scheme since it was first proposed last year. They submitted a petition with over 3,000 signatures to Brighton and Hove City Council. Traders have raised concerns about deliveries, noting that most premises lack rear access and the proposed loading bays will be insufficient to handle deliveries securely in line with health and safety law.

Catherine Lane, a Western Road Community Group representative who runs a business on the street and cares for her disabled father, 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 also highlighted concerns about access for disabled and elderly residents. Lane announced further protests would take place, stating: "We are going to organise another one for tonight (Friday 6 November) and one for every night for as long as it takes. They will be peaceful and legal and will spring up at any time of day or night."

Support from transport groups

The council's cabinet approved the £200,000 scheme in June. After traders threatened legal action, the decision was reviewed by the cabinet in September, when Councillor Trevor Muten recused himself. Opposition councillors requested a scrutiny review, but the committee declined to overturn the decision.

Brighton and Hove Buses and campaign group Buswatch have backed the scheme. Buswatch noted that Western Road carries approximately 46 buses per hour across 11 different routes, and that buses now take 15 per cent longer to travel from Hove to Churchill Square than they did a decade ago.

Existing schemes show results

Two existing red routes on London Road and Lewes Road have been in place following earlier phases. Council figures from April showed injuries fell from 11 to three on Lewes Road and from 15 to nine on London Road since the lines were painted. The council also recorded more than 100,000 extra movements of people on London Road in the 12 months after its red route was introduced.

Council projections forecast the Western Road red route could generate £50,000 in camera enforcement income, though Labour deputy leader Jacob Taylor said he hoped it would not, as "then it would be working".

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