Building work set to begin on Brighton seafront

The start date of a construction project in Brighton has been announced.

Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC) said work to build a new junction linking the seafront with Valley Gardens will begin in early January.

The old aquarium roundabout is set to be replaced by a traffic light-controlled junction as part of a multi-million pound redevelopment project.

BHCC says the new junction, along with new pavements and dedicated crossings, will make access between the Palace Pier and the city centre safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

However, Valley Garden Forum - a residents' and business group - has criticised the plans, saying they will create more traffic in Brighton and Hove.

Co-ordinator Daniel Nathan previously told BBC Radio Sussex: "It will slow down vehicle movements down the seafront, creating more fumes and congestion.

"That isn't the way forward."

BHCC said the new junction will use the "latest smart technology" to keep everyone moving.

It detailed that the plans will involve overnight work and road closures from 20:00 GMT for two weeks from 6 January.

Diversions will be in place and will be subject to change each night, the local authority continued.

The junction will be kept open during the day, it said.

BHCC said since the multi-phase Valley Gardens project began last November it had resurfaced roads, begun creating public spaces and cycle lanes and laid new pavements and crossings.

"The new aquarium junction is going to be a very positive change," councillor Trevor Muten, BHCC cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, said.

"We're doing everything we can to minimise the disruption," he continued.

"We're entering the home stretch for this project now. I'm really excited for the summer when we can all begin to enjoy the benefits."

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