Concerns over increased traffic on roads in Elm Grove, Brighton Brighton News

After seeing two options at design workshops, some residents of streets north of Elm Grove became concerned about the effect on their neighborhood.

They raised their concerns with councilors at a meeting of the Northeast Hanover Residents’ Association this week.

Concerns included the prospect of more drivers hitting their streets. They said some drivers were already using their roads like rat races to try to avoid Lewes Road traffic lights at the bottom of Elm Grove.

The council’s lead transport planner, Oliver Spratley, said both options presented at the community workshops were early designs.

He said locals have shared their experiences. These, he said, would help turn “rough concept ideas” into something more like a livable neighborhood seen in other parts of the country.

Mr Spratley said: “We are making progress with these designs and will come back with something once we have everyone’s feedback.

“We have already seen that there are big flaws in the concepts that have been presented and they will change. They will be different and alleviate worry and anxiety.

Residents of Elm Grove have previously raised concerns about increased traffic on the road.

But it is unlikely to become an official part of a low-traffic neighborhood scheme, as it is a key listed road, linking the main roads in and out of Brighton.

Councilor Elaine Hills raised concerns about parking in the area

Residents of De Montfort Road and Franklin Road were particularly concerned about the increased traffic. They spoke of exhaust pipes scraping along the road surface as speeders exceeded the 20mph limit over bumps in the road.

In January, residents’ association president Matt Black addressed the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee.

He called for a low-traffic neighborhood to include roads north of Elm Grove to Hartington Road and around William Clarke Park, also known as the Patch.

He asked how Elm Grove could be improved in the future if there were low-traffic neighborhoods on both sides.

Green Councilor Elaine Hills, who represents the Hanover and Elm Grove wards, said: ‘At the end of the day, we need to make Elm Grove a better street. Currently the parking way is horrible.

“There are a lot of things that are wrong.

“I envision the low-traffic neighborhood that can accommodate border roads as well.

“We can do some nice things like crossings that could be incorporated – that’s what we have to consider…more greening on Elm Grove and that sort of thing.”

She said traffic is expected to decrease throughout the area, reducing pollution once low-traffic neighborhoods take hold.

The Liveable Hanover and Tarner online design workshop is open until Easter Sunday at climateconversationsbrighton.uk.engagementhq.com/liveable-hanover-tarner.