Brighton and Hove City Council confirmed last week that the roundabout in front of the pier would be replaced with a new junction as part of the third phase of the project.
The work to create the junction, along with other parts of the scheme, is expected to take 18 months.
However, pier bosses have claimed they have not been listened to about concerns over the project and are now raising alarm at the potential impact traffic disruption could have during the busy summer season for their business and the tourism sector in the city as a whole.
An artists’ impression of the new junction (Image: Brighton and Hove City Council)
The Argus has seen an email by David Rochford, finance director for Brighton Palace Pier, writing in his capacity as a member of the Valley Gardens Forum.
In the email to the council’s transport lead Trevor Muten, Mr Rochford said they were affected by different factors last year including the fire at the Royal Albion Hotel.
He said: “We have a very limited period where the company has the opportunity to trade at full capacity and any works around the entrance during this period would be unwelcome.
“We really cannot afford another impacted summer after the trains, fire and poor weather of last year, and two of the three prior to that being Covid impacted.
“To implement a scheme that is going to cause disruption when the hospitality and tourism industries are coming out of a period of extreme pain does appear to lack empathy and understanding of what the sector has been through.”
Anne Ackord, CEO at Brighton Pier Group, echoed Mr Rochford’s remarks and claimed that they had “never been kept properly informed” about the project and questioned whether replacement of the roundabout was necessary.
She said: “We are very concerned that the council may not listen to us regarding essential access needs during the changes to the pier roundabout.
“It is likely that work will take place during the summer period, busy not just for us but for all tourism businesses in Brighton.
“I am sure I do not need to explain how critical this trading period is for all tourism and retail businesses in the city and difficulties in access will further enhance the city’s reputation as a high-cost parking, difficult-to-access destination.
“After the stress of the past four years, with the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, the impact of any disruption is a blow which many will find incredibly difficult to bear.
“We have never believed that the changes to the pier roundabout were necessary or of benefit to the city and definitely not the environment – and we are not alone in thinking that.”
Announcing the latest stage of the project last week, Trevor Muten, chairman of the council’s transport and sustainability committee, said: “Phase three will offer a wonderful open green space in the Old Steine and extend the public park that was delivered through phases one and two.
“The transport improvements will make it much safer for pedestrians and cyclists, whilst ensuring the flow of buses and road traffic through this busy part of our city.
“We are confident that delivering Valley Gardens phase three will complete the centrepiece of our amazing city that residents and visitors alike will be very proud of.”
No start date has been announced yet.
A council spokesman said: “We will be writing to the Palace Pier to reassure them that the design for our Valley Gardens three scheme includes provision for maintaining access to the pier forecourt and a loading bay on Madeira Drive.
“The Traffic Regulation Order for the overall scheme area specifically highlighted the loading bay, and was approved by councillors in March 2023.
“Once completed the Valley Gardens scheme will create a much more pleasant space in front of the pier, and will provide access to the pier and an improved environment for pedestrians as well as cyclists.
“We expect this to be of benefit to the pier and the city’s tourism trade.
“We will work closely with contractors, stakeholders and businesses to minimise disruption to access and to the road network generally during the construction phases, as we did for the first two phases of our Valley Gardens project.
“We have to balance the demands on our roads, pavements and public spaces in a safe and sustainable way while addressing much wider issues such as climate change and air quality.”
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