Brighton Station redevelopment plans.

[ofco8]

The ONLY thing they need to do is paint the wall of that pub (I forget it's name) when you walk out as it's the FIRST impression of Brighton people get. (It's annoyed me for YEARS)

And a tree growing out of roof.

Typical Brighton, no grand plans. The buildings from Queens Head to Upper Gloucester Road have no architectural merit.
The whole block should be demolished with a mini bus station put in at ground level and a new department store, i.e John Lewis, House of Fraser, Fenwick built above in multi-storey building. That would encourage whole of Queens Road to smarten up.

Oh well. Dream on.

 

[Landgull]

I no longer live in Brighton but a quick glance at the suggested plans makes me think the planning co has really no idea. In a word SHAMBLES. Ideally a new bus station should be developed between Queens Road and Surrey St. SIMPLES.
PS. This would include Taxi Rank And Cycle Racks and comfortable inside seating etc. ie something to be proud off. Get Buckingham to build it!

 

[Jimmy Come Lately]

Option 3 looks really attractive but these

•Footways on most of Queens Road would remain as narrow as at present, and would be further restricted by additional bus stops.
•Footway crowding in Queens Road likely to be made worse by more people waiting for buses

are really good points. The pavement on Queens Road can be frustratingly congested as it is without making it worse.

I'm less worried about

•Taxis likely to overflow from new rank into Surrey Street/Terminus Road at peak times

as it looks like there's scope to deepen the cab rank into the now-oversized pedestrian area to squeeze more cars in, and misbehaving cabs will quickly stop queueing on public roads after a couple of them get their licences revoked.

Even as a frequent user of taxis I think 1b or 2b look good. Although I imagine the cab drivers would be grumbling about it for years. They didn't half go on when they were temporarily moved north of the station for the recent refurbishment.

 

[Martinf]

I cant be bothered to read through all that. Can someone tell me which one to vote for please.

 

[fataddick]

As someone who works on Frederick Place, I find all these accusations of its pointlessness quite distressing. It is a mecca for Japanese students photographing a fake Banksy, and also contains central Brighton's most pointless bus stop (two buses per day I think). The reopening of the Eastern exit of the station is already on the cards, so personally I'd pedestrianise the entire North Laine (Trafalgar St in particular is far too narrow for both cars and people) and send walkers out that into bohemian Brighton, leaving the shithole that is the station concourse and Queens Road to whatever buses, taxis or wotnot want it.

 

[Sergei's Celebration]

I cant be bothered to read through all that. Can someone tell me which one to vote for please.

1b...

 

[Martinf]

1b...

Will do. Thanks.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

As an aside - is there a limit to the number of taxis that can operate/licenses issued? Seems like the numbers have gone banzai in the past year or so.

The long answer - from a Department of Transport letter sent to Local Authorities in 2005:-

“In England and Wales outside London, local authorities (district/borough councils or unitary authorities) have been able to restrict the number of taxi licences that they issue since at least 1847. In practice some 45 per cent of authorities do so at present, but the legislation allows them to control numbers only if they are satisfied that there is no significant unmet demand.

Local authorities with quantity restrictions must be able to justify their policy in the event of an appeal by a taxi licence applicant who has had his application refused on the grounds of quantity controls. The usual method of ascertaining the level of demand is by means of a survey. The legislation does not stipulate any specific frequency for the surveys, but any licensing authority that controlled taxi numbers would want to ensure that its policy was based on up-to-date and sound information.

The OFT recommended that local authorities should not retain this power because they considered that such restrictions can:
+ reduce the availability of taxis
+ increase waiting times for consumers
+ reduce choice and safety for consumers
+ restrict those wanting to set up a taxi business

The Government agree that consumers should enjoy the benefits of competition in the taxi market and considers that it is detrimental to those seeking entry to a market if it is restricted. The Government are therefore strongly encouraging all those local authorities who still maintain quantity restrictions to remove restrictions as soon as possible. Restrictions should be retained only if there is a strong justification that removal of the restrictions would lead to significant consumer detriment as a result of local conditions.

However, the Government received a significant number of representations expressing the view that ultimately local authorities remain best placed to determine local transport needs and to make the decisions about them in the light of local circumstances. The Government believe that local authorities should be given the opportunity to assess their own needs, in the light of the OFT findings, rather than moving to a legislative solution.

Nevertheless the Government believe that local authorities should publish and justify their reasons for restricting the number of taxi licences issued. The Government will therefore write shortly to each district/borough council or unitary authority maintaining quantity restrictions and ask them to review by 31 March 2005 the local case for such restrictions, and at least every three years thereafter, and make their conclusions available to the public.

The Government intend that the letter will include guidelines on quantity restrictions, including a review of the level of service available to consumers and consumer choice. The guidelines will cover:

+ effective surveys to measure demand, including latent demand, for taxi services;

+ consultation with:
- all those working in the market;
- consumer and passenger (including disabled) groups;
- groups which represent those passengers with special needs;
- the police;
- a wide range of transport stakeholders e.g. rail/bus/coach providers and traffic managers

Publication of conclusions will include an explanation of the particular local circumstances that justify restrictions, what benefits they deliver to consumers and how decisions on numbers have been reached. Authorities will be encouraged to make all the evidence gathered to support the decision-making process available for public scrutiny.

This is to ensure that decisions to impose restrictions are based upon strong up-to-date evidence of benefits to consumers locally for their retention, and that the decision-making process is transparent and consultative. The Government consider that this would help local authorities with quantity restrictions to justify their policy if they were challenged about refusing to issue a taxi licence in the courts. If restrictions are not shown to be delivering clear benefits to consumers, it is the view of Government that local authorities should remove them.

The Government will review in association with the OFT the extent of quantity controls in three years' time to monitor progress towards the lifting of controls. If necessary, the Government will then explore further options through the RRO or legislative process if insufficient progress has been made.

The Local Transport Plan process requires local transport authorities to look holistically at how the transport provision for their area contributes to wider objectives such as economic growth, accessibility and the environment. Taxis and private hire vehicles are an integral part of local transport provision and should be properly taken into account in this process. The Government intends that the next five-year Local Transport Plans, due to be submitted by authorities in 2005, will include justification of any quantity restrictions in the wider local transport context. Those few authorities that will not be required to produce a Local Transport Plan will still be expected to justify their quantity restriction policy if any of the districts in their area have such restrictions.”

 

[Sergei's Celebration]

I like this thread but no one is allowed to direct quote the above post...ever...

 

[Uter]

Of course the main plus point of 1b and 2b is the new Eastern pedestrian access means an extra couple of minutes pre and post match drinking time in the pubs down Trafalgar Street.

 

[Garage_Doors]

Which ever is the best option for drivers.

 

[Hotchilidog]

1b or 2b for me, the new eastern entrance/exit should be essential and moving taxis to Frederik place shouldn't be too inconvenient if well signposted from the redeveloped station.

 

[8ace]

There's a picture on the Argus website of the chosen proposal but it's a bit small - anyone seen a large image

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Blimey, it's like doing Geography A level coursework again.

Go and do us a quick traffic survey, will you?

 

[The Large One]

I've done a couple of screen grabs from the Council PDF - hope it helps...

 

[zeetha]

From reading the article, it sounds like traffic (inc taxis from the new taxi rank) is going to come up Trafalgar Street and out onto Terminus Road - not like that doesn't become clogged at peak times already...

Oh and making that bit between Terminus Road/Station/Queens Road look pedestrianised is only going to increase the chances of someone getting run over IMHO.

 

[The Large One]

From reading the article, it sounds like traffic (inc taxis from the new taxi rank) is going to come up Trafalgar Street and out onto Terminus Road - not like that doesn't become clogged at peak times already...

No. It's taxis only coming up Trafalgar Street under the tunnel.

They can only get access to this because Frederick Place traffic flow will be reversed, with access coming from a reversed junction at the top of Gloucester Road.

 

[Bulldog]

Good choice by the council.
Gets the taxis out of the way, wider pavements, shortcut to the Nelson/North laine area, new ticket offices/tourist center, far better impression of the city for people arriving and better cycling routes/racks. not sure you can get much more.

 

[8ace]

Thanks for the larger images, a few Qs though:
1) Where is the first cab off the rank?
2) Which way do the cabs go after they've got a passenger?
3) Are those trees?

 

[The Large One]

Thanks for the larger images, a few Qs though:
1) Where is the first cab off the rank?
2) Which way do the cabs go after they've got a passenger?
3) Are those trees?

1) It looks like they queue from (back to front) along Frederick Place, up Trafalgar Street, and into Junction Road.

2) Wherever the customer asks. Seriously if the pick-up point is Junction Road, they go down Queens Road, then turn to whichever direction they need (left into Gloucester Road, straight on down Queens Road or right up Upper Gloucester Road / Surrey Street.

3) Bloody hope not.


EDIT: This is from the Officers' report...

Taxis
Proposal: Taxis rank in Frederick Street and Trafalgar Street (under the bridge) before accessing a pick up point in Junction Road.

Link to Consultation: Taxis remain close to the southern station entrance. They are visible, easily accessible, provide passive
surveillance (security) benefits and remain close (and so offer cheaper fares) to key destinations. However, they are removed from their current location, enabling enhanced pedestrian links between the station and city and creating space for a new public area. The new public area could contain some cycle parking, some small stalls, a new ticket office and a new pedestrian route to the North Laine. The new arrangement reduces the need for taxis to access the station via Surrey Street, reducing traffic through that area.