Cabinet
Subject: Red Routes
Date of meeting: Thursday, 20 March 2025
Report of: Cabinet Member for Transport, Parking and Public Realm
Contact Officer: Name: Charles Field
Email: charles.field@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected: (All Wards);
Key Decision: Yes
Reason(s) Key: Is significant in terms of its effects on communities living or working in an area comprising two or more electoral divisions (wards).
1.1 This report (a) reviews the two experimental Red Route corridors in sections of London Road, Lewes Road and Preston Road, outlines the benefits and issues arising from implementation and (b) seeks a mandate to proceed with design, engagement and implementation of a red route for Western Road from Holland Road to Montpelier Road.
1.2 The policies which this report seeks to promote are:
· A city to be proud of – an accessible, clean, and sustainable city.
· A city where people feel safe.
· A responsive council with-well run services
2.1 Cabinet agrees to proceed with the red route in Queens Road, as set out in Appendix 3
2.2 Cabinet agrees to proceed with the design and implementation of a new red route along the Western Road corridor (from Holland Road to Montpelier Road). As set out in Appendix 3
3.1 The introduction of red routes was primarily to improve bus services along key routes into and out of the city and funded by the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
3.2 Since 2021 we have become a more active city, this initiative is an integral part of the strategy to keeping cycle lanes free of parked vehicles and encourage active travel.
3.3 London Road / Preston Road and Lewes Road were identified as two of the most congested arterial routes in and out of the city with significant scope for improvement.
3.4 In December 2023 a report reviewed the informal consultation results of the two routes. Having taken account of all duly made representations and comments, it was agreed that the red route corridors progress to the Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETRO) implementation stage.
3.5 The red routes are being enforced via CCTV operators in the Council’s Transport Control Centre (TCC) who issue PCNs for vehicles that stop on double red lines or misuse loading bays.
3.6 A longer-term strategy for Red Routes will be developed and will come back to Cabinet later in the year.
3.7 Were delighted to have the opportunity to bid for tranche 4 moving traffic enforcement powers. We will be applying to the DfT before the deadline of 7th July 2025 and a further update will be provided. We will continue to engage with on the strategy through discussions with businesses.
4.1 The alternative option, to do nothing further, was considered. However, there are significant potential benefits to relieving congestion in the areas of Queens Rd / Western Rd which have improved bus journey times.
4.2 The Council is also seeking moving traffic enforcement powers. This would enable the enforcement of school streets, box junctions and other banned turning movements. The application process to the DfT for these powers includes a 6-week public consultation on the proposed sites for enforcement. We are currently reviewing complaints about poor compliance with existing restrictions to inform the site selection.
5.1 Since the introduction of the red routes in April 2024 a period of consultation has taken place. A summary of the public consultation is in Appendix 1.
5.2 Regular attendance by officers at the London Road LAT meetings for the first 6 months of the Experimental Order took place, which informed and influenced changes on site within this period.
5.3 Also, as a direct result of engaging with traders an additional five loading bays were installed and extension of the existing bay. Also, an additional motorcycle bay was provided after concerns were raised by residents over pavement parking of food delivery bikes.
5.4 There has been positive feedback from stakeholder groups:
Brighton & Hove Buses “The initial feedback we've received has been overwhelmingly positive. The improvements are noticeable, and there's a growing interest in extending this initiative to other areas.”
NSL Enforcement “CEOs previously spent a lot of time and resource moving vehicles along for them to only return when the officer left. For certain areas, on foot enforcement isn’t effective. Having the red routes in place allows NSL to direct the resource elsewhere in the city when it makes a difference. It was said by all how red routes have resolved the previous issues. I also think it’s good to note little is now being said negatively to CEOs in relation to the red routes.”
Cycling UK “The red routes have reduced obstructive parking which is dangerous for us as cyclists due to having to pull out further into the road to avoid the obstructing vehicle. Also, there is the added risk of collisions due to car/van doors opening in our path and maneuvering / unloading vehicles into the road space. Overall, our general view is that the red routes have been a good improvement in cycling safety as it has removed a lot of casual obstruction, and we would like to see more red routes being established.”
Bricycles “It's amazing how much better the roads are since the camera enforcement started. A recent video we posted, showed a ride up and back both directions of Lewes Road with zero cars blocking the cycle path - this NEVER used to happen before!”
6.1 The cost of delivering Red Routes is funded form the Bus Service Improvement Plan grant, and form part of the £3.220m Bus Service Improvement Scheme capital budget as set out in the Capital Programme for 2025/26. Costs of delivering the scheme will form part of the Councils standard financial monitoring process with variations to capital schemes being reported to Cabinet via the TBM reports.
6.2 As with any introduction of new enforcement schemes across the city there is likely to be a short-term spike in the Penalty Charge Notice income, however this would be a short term impact only and cannot be quantified. Any additional income received will reported to Cabinet through the revenue TBM reports.
Name of finance officer consulted: Craig Garoghan Date consulted : 14/02/2025
7.1 The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 provides the framework for local traffic authorities to make traffic regulation orders, which can include the designation of specific traffic routes for various purposes, such as avoiding danger, preventing damage, or facilitating traffic flow.
7.2 The Council, as traffic authority, is empowered to make Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) under the provisions of s9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. An ETRO cannot remain in force for longer than 18 months. Public notice must be given that the ETRO has been made, that the traffic authority will be considering in due course whether the provisions of the ETRO will continue in force indefinitely, and that any objections to the making of such a permanent order must be made within six months of the making of the ETRO or any order amending the same (Sched. 5 Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations1996). The traffic authority must give consideration to any duly made objection.
Name of lawyer consulted: David Fairfield Date consulted : 17/02/2025
8.1 Equality Impact Assessments (EIA) were carried out for the red routes and overseen by an equalities and inclusion officer.
8.2 The existing red routes have an exemption for Blue Badge holders to be dropped off and picked up on the double red lines.
9.1 The red route program aims to improve bus service journey times.
9.2 We expect long-term improvements in air quality and collision data due to the red routes, short term Air Quality data indicates we are on track to meet the legal standard.
|
Time span |
Location |
Air Quality |
|
|
||
|
Pre-Red Route May-Nov 2023 Red Route May-Nov 2024 |
Lewes Rd N of Elm Gr A270 |
Improvement in Air Quality -1.7 NO2 µg/m3 |
||||
|
Pre-Red May-Nov 2023 Post May-Nov 2024 |
Lewes Rd S of VG A270 |
Improvement in Air Quality -4.1 NO2 µg/m3 |
||||
|
Pre-Red Apr-Nov 2023 Post Apr-Nov 2024 |
London Rd N of Cheapside A23 |
Improvement in Air Quality -2.6 NO2 µg/m3 |
||||
|
Pre-Red May-Nov 2023 Post May-Nov 2024 |
N of Preston Circus A23 |
Improvement in Air Quality -0.9 NO2 µg/m3 |
||||
10. Health and Wellbeing Implications:
10.1 Improvements to pedestrian and cyclists' safety whose journeys were previously impeded by parked vehicles on the carriageway and footway.
10.2 Improvements to air quality in red route corridors where vehicle movement is more free flowing.
10.3 Reduction in bus passenger injuries on the red route corridor, see appendix 2.
11.1 To summarise the recently introduced red routes have;
· improved air quality
· reduced bus passenger injuries
· kept cycleways clear of parked vehicles
· resulted in more effective deployment of enforcement resources
11.2 A mandate is required to bring these benefits to other parts of the city.
Supporting Documentation
1. Summary of comments from stakeholders regarding implemented red routes during the formal ETRO consultation period.
2. Report on the Impact of Red Routes on Bus Passenger Injury Incidents from B&H buses.