ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT & SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE 22 June 2021

Agenda Item 5(b) Brighton & Hove City Council

WRITTEN QUESTIONS

A period of not more than fifteen minutes shall be allowed at each ordinary meeting for questions submitted by a member of the public.

The question will be answered without discussion. The person who asked the question may ask one relevant supplementary question, which shall be put and answered without discussion. The person to whom a question, or supplementary question, has been put may decline to answer it. 

The following written questions have been received from members of the public:

(2) Seafront signage – Chris Murgatroyd

Now that large “Bin it or take it home” banners have appeared on metal barriers in the Pedestrian Zone on the Lower Promenade, between the Peace Statue and the Artists Quarter, to discourage littering, will BHCC finally also install signs to discourage cycling in the Pedestrian Zone, except in the exercise of a lawful right or privilege - for example like the “Be kind, Be considerate” sign on the barriers near Hove Lagoon, which politely encourages people to cycle on the cycle lane, or to push their bike if they want to stay on the Lower Promenade?

(3) Public Convenience refurbishment – Derek Wright

In October 2018 a report/decision was made on how to finance their refurbishment, since then nothing has happened. When will the Daltons, Colonnade, Pavillion Gardens, Kings Esplanade toilets be modernised?

(4) Seafront Disabled Parking Bays – Phillipa Hodge

Video surveillance (12/9/20) of the 7 A259 seafront disabled bays was finally produced on 14/5/21.  It notes a wheelchair user forced to travel in the cycle lane to access their vehicle, swerving bikes, bay abuse (eg Brighton Bike Hire) and only one mention of a wheelchair ramped van.

BADGE have been sharing photographic evidence of Inaccessibility & Danger since August. In March we were promised 5 safer Northside bays. Still nothing. Under your Active Travel Scheme ‘our’ seafront remains inaccessible for a second summer.  Do Councillors find it acceptable that 10 months later, Officers still haven’t addressed these grave concerns?

(5) Brighton Racecourse footpaths – Katy Rodda

Recently Brighton Racecourse closed footpaths west of the grandstand, citing the need for a secure area on race days due to COVID. While not public footpaths, they have been well used for decades, providing safe links towards Woodingdean and Whitehawk, avoiding sections of Freshfield Road with no footway. There has been no EqIA or consideration of disabled people.

We understand officers have tried to negotiate permissive access. Can the Chair update us explaining how access might be restored without an arduous Public Inquiry. In particular, how will the council use its membership of the Racecourse Trustees Board to restore access?