Brighton & Hove's REGENCY Magazine » Roads

Letters: The Secret (Sex) Life of Cyclists

REGENCY — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 22:27:46 +0000

I wonder if anyone could explain to me why Brighton & Hove City Council need to know my personal sexual preferences in order to decide on a Cycle Link Scheme along Madeira Drive?

It asked the usual questions of my postcode, disability and gender, but then went on to ask “Are you Heterosexual, Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, Other (please state)?”.

Whatever can this possibly have to do with cycle lanes? My reply was that it is none of your business!

In any event the survey was mailed out too late to visit the exhibition of the scheme in the Town Hall, but in my opinion anything that keeps the fast moving cyclists off the pavement on Madeira Parade is most welcome regardless of my sexuality – or theirs.

Molly, Arundel Terrace

Letters: Make Our Streets Safer

REGENCY — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:04:19 +0000

I am writing to bring Regency readers attention to the dangers of the crossroads of Clifton Hill, Windlesham Avenue, Denmark Terrace and Vernon Terrace. From the 4th September to 17th November 2008 there were 4 accidents. The first one had a motor cycle mount the pavement, hit a tree and pedestrian on Denmark Terrace, the second one a man was taken away in a neck brace by ambulance: the third one was a hit and run accident where a car sped away having hit another car. and the fourth was a car coming out of junction at Clifton Hill hitting a car heading south which ended up on the pavement and destroying part of the garden fence on the corner of Windlesham Avenue.

This junction has always been dangerous but has become increasingly more so due to Satellite navigation devices, traffic calming in other areas of city and the ability of cars to speed along this road in excess of 40mph. If you are coming out of Clifton Hill junction you cannot see and have to edge into the road before committing to go. The speed of the traffic means that they do not have the stopping distance required.

The reason why I am bringing this to readers’ attention is that people of all ages are constantly using this junction and their safety is being compromised. In 4th September accident and 17th November accident there were school children on the pavement very close to the accident. One mother I saw shouting at the driver of one of the cars that she and her young son could have been killed.

Jason Kitkat has bought this matter before the council and they have agreed some actions. However, I believe that the speed of the traffic is very much the cause of most of these accidents and as we live in a conservation area I believe more should be done to alleviate the dangers to both pedestrians and drivers. I would urge local residents to also give feedback to Jason Kitkat about this junction as he understands local residents concerns and has taken an interest in ensuring the safety of all of us. There have been some very bad accidents going back years at this junction but they are now becoming more frequent and we really need to act as a community to ensure the Council prioritise this.

Sam, via email

Seafront Makeover

REGENCY — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:00:00 +0000

A large section of Madeira Drive is set to get a heritage-style facelift and the road widened. Work has already commenced on the stretch of road, which is too weak to support heavy vehicles. The works are part of a £300,000 regeneration package.

Green Cars

REGENCY — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:49:50 +0000

How would you like to run your car for £75 per year. Crazy? Apparently not. Brighton and Hove City Council are set to install a series of power points around the city for use by electric cars.

In a £30,000 pilot scheme, 10 such points will be installed in the city at first, with more as a possibility if the technology proves a success. Electric car owners already enjoy half price residents’ parking permits, and so this scheme will add a further incentive to people to adopt the technology.