At long last, work starts today on
a scheme to close the southern end of Brighton’s East Street to traffic. The problem of East Street was highlighted in the study “Public Life, Public Space: Brighton”
. The study, written by
Gehl Architects with input by officers from Brighton & Hove City Council, was adopted by BHCC in 2007. It noted that,
“Ship Street and East Street are examples of heavily used streets, whose quality and character drastically deteriorate when moving south, resulting in a poor connection between lively areas in the Lanes and the seafront.” So this work in East Street is long overdue. These pictures show why: pedestrians seem to think that the southern end of East Street is already a pedestrian street – until some idiot comes hammering along in a car – a not infrequent event.
The new scheme is designed to allow easier access for pedestrians on one of the most popular routes to the seafront. There will also be a new crossing in Grand Junction Road, with the pedestrian island removed. The news was covered in the Argus, where the print edition contains an interesting quote from Olivia Reed, of East Street’s renowned restaurant
Terre A Terre.
“We are very pleased to see the council’s pedestrian network improvement scheme moving forward after many years in discussion. Terre a Terre, like many businesses in the area, fully supports this and the next phase will encourage more free flowing pedestrian activity between the Lanes and the seafront, especially during these difficult times for the retail and hospitality sectors.” How refreshing that Ms Reed concentrates on pedestrians, and not parking, as the key to prosperity.
At long last, work starts today on a scheme to close the southern end of Brighton’s East Street to traffic. The problem of East Street was highlighted in the study “Public Life, Public Space: Brighton”. The study, written by Gehl Architects with input by officers from Brighton & Hove City Council, was adopted by BHCC in 2007. It noted that, “Ship Street and East Street are examples of heavily used streets, whose quality and character drastically deteriorate when moving south, resulting in a poor connection between lively areas in the Lanes and the seafront.” So this work in East Street is long overdue. These pictures show why: pedestrians seem to think that the southern end of East Street is already a pedestrian street – until some idiot comes hammering along in a car – a not infrequent event. 
The new scheme is designed to allow easier access for pedestrians on one of the most popular routes to the seafront. There will also be a new crossing in Grand Junction Road, with the pedestrian island removed. The news was covered in the Argus, where the print edition contains an interesting quote from Olivia Reed, of East Street’s renowned restaurant Terre A Terre. “We are very pleased to see the council’s pedestrian network improvement scheme moving forward after many years in discussion. Terre a Terre, like many businesses in the area, fully supports this and the next phase will encourage more free flowing pedestrian activity between the Lanes and the seafront, especially during these difficult times for the retail and hospitality sectors.” How refreshing that Ms Reed concentrates on pedestrians, and not parking, as the key to prosperity.
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