2 Glovers Yard 121 – 123 Havelock Road Brighton BN1 6GN

Bricycles Brighton, Hove and District Cycling Group www.bricycles.org.uk 20 December 2010 Andy Renaut Head of Transport Strategy & Projects Brighton & Hove City Council Environment Directorate, Sustainable Transport, Room 411 Hove Town Hall Norton Road HOVE BN3 3BQ Re: Preston Road Junction Dear Andy, I am a frequent user of this junction on foot and by bike as are many Bricycles and CTC members, for shopping, education, commuting and leisure access. I am writing on their behalf. We strongly agree with your concerns about this road as stated in the consultation document which says: “There is a concern for the safety of all users in this section of Preston Road, particularly when dealing with a very busy one-way traffic system,” It is entirely within the power of Brighton and Hove City Council to radically alter the character of this road and that is what we strongly advise. We want the council to ensure that continuous 2-way cycling is instated in all one way streets, and that no more one way streets are created. One way streets encourage speeding traffic and create unnecessary barriers to cycling, as well as causing unnecessary conflict with pedestrians and motor vehicles. Has the council considered taking out the dangerous one way system in Preston Road altogether? Bricycles wants to see a maximum 20 mph speed limit across Brighton and Hove City. This is the only evidence-based measure that is known to improve cyclists’ safety. It also reduces casualties among non-cyclists. The council has correctly identified several of the problems for pedestrians and cyclists in Preston Road, but there are far more issues which need sorting out, and a more holistic area-wide approach would be beneficial. The problems with Preston Road are largely caused by the one-way race track style of the northbound Preston Circus exit. This encourages motorists to think they can speed out of Brighton on the A23 with scant regard for other road users. Preston Park forms a natural gateway to the City, within which higher standards of driving should be expected. Whilst we are strongly supportive of improvements to assist cyclist mobility where described in this scheme we would like to raise the following points: Fax /Tel: 01273 552662

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As northbound traffic speeds away from the Preston Circus traffic lights, there are two dangerous build outs on the left of Preston Road which are a hazard to cyclists. These further points should be considered in this consultation. The first is a pedestrian build out at the crossing at Preston Road, shown left, which does not take into account the alignment of the northbound cycle lane which ends on the south of the junction. Cyclists find they have to pull out as accelerating traffic speeds past them on their outside. In addition, motorists frequently pull in to the loading bay by Barclays (top picture) just behind the pinch point, to use the cash machine, creating further vehicle movements and sometimes parking badly, at a point where cyclists are extremely vulnerable.

First dangerous pinch point for northbound cyclists.

Second dangerous pinch point for northbound cyclists.

Secondly, shown left, there is an unnecessary triangular obstruction at the southern end of the north bound bus stop in Preston Road which is unlikely to be anticipated and which could also easily cause a cyclist to crash. These build outs should be removed, and a lower speed limit put in place.

In the current traffic arrangement, we agree that there is potential conflict with pedestrians on the north corner of Argyle Road, so measures to reclaim road space from cars and improve visibility is welcome. The east bound cycle track along Argyle road is narrow and raised, and directly next to parked cars. We therefore welcome the decision to move it on to the carriageway. But can the council give us any adequate assurance that it will arrange for effective enforcement of no parking rules here and at other cycle facilities?

The council will be aware of the trees in the two-way cycle track on Preston Road, and the inadequate width of the marked track, but no solution is provided by this scheme. Cyclists are put at risk by using this two-way track next to a fast road, where the narrow track width could lead to them inadvertently entering the road with the risk of death when hit by a vehicle, as occurred on the A270. Fax /Tel: 01273 552662

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Ditchling Rise – all facilities should be wide enough for tricycles and trailers. Cyclists should be able to turn right and adopt an appropriate road position for doing so. It is not clear whether the proposed facilities would obstruct this. Road layout in Preston Road should be redesigned to reduce speed and crashes, but we also want to see motor vehicles de-prioritised, and better use of road space. We note that the trend with council “consultations” is to put forward a list of closed questions leading to simple yes/no answers, with the consultee’s opportunity to express a view being very limited. Information about this scheme was not brought to the Cycle Forum, which again makes one question the value of attending the Cycle Forum meetings.This does not add up to genuine consultation. I am aware of at least 3 cyclist crashes with motor vehicles since 2003 at the junction of Preston Road with Dyke Road Drive. Motorists do not pay adequate attention to cycling movements in this area, because they are too focused on getting either on to or across the A23. There is a lack of observation by drivers at the bottom of Dyke Road Drive as they only look south for their own safety and to find a gap in the traffic. They often do not give adequate attention north, for any southbound cycling movements. There are also fast darting movements by vehicles as they attempt to get from the bottom of Springfield Road (westbound) to Dyke Road Drive in the gaps between fast northbound A23 traffic. These drivers do not give enough attention to the presence of cyclists already on the road or crossing Dyke Road Drive. There are some extremely large coaches, buses and some lorries using this road which are also very intimidating to cyclists and some of the drivers are not the most skillful. This is another good reason for speed reduction, and if road width is a problem, the removal of on street parking, or alternative routing. We welcome the plans for two cyclist/pedestrian crossings (one new, one improved) and the junction treatments, however, cyclists should be given priority at junctions wiith motor vehicles, and road design should reflect this. Cyclists should not have to give way at every side road, when travelling straight ahead. Brighton cannot represent itself as a cycling town and at the same time expect cyclists to give way at every junction where there is a cycling facility. Vehicles continue to park on the Preston Road cycle track. The council appears unable to stop this. We went to City College, Pelham Street for the exhibition on Sat 4 December 2010 which was postponed due to bad weather. (Thank you to Alison Baldesare for the subsequent letter explaining the reason for the college being closed on the day). Yours sincerely,

Becky Reynolds,

Bricycles Campaigns Officer - www.bricycles.org.uk CTC Local Right to Ride Representative, Brighton and Hove www.communigate.co.uk/sussex/ctcbrighton and www.ctc.org.uk/ CC: Environment Initiatives, Room 501, King’s House, Brighton and Hove City Council, Grand Avenue, Hove, BN3 2LS

Fax /Tel: 01273 552662

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