Park and ride to begin after decades of discussion

A long-discussed park and ride service for Brighton & Hove could finally launch this summer.

Brighton & Hove City Council says it plans to use existing car parks around the city for the scheme - but has not yet confirmed which ones.

The authority says it hopes to open the first of the sites by July, providing the plans are approved by councillors at a meeting on 23 January.

Trevor Muten, the council's cabinet member for transport, parking and public realm, said: "If approved, this will be a great scheme. After decades of discussion, 2025 will be the year we deliver park and ride for the city."

Council officers said that using existing car parks, rather than building new ones, offered "flexibility" and was low cost, but was dependant on landowner co-operation, could be at sub-optimal locations and could affect the overall quality of the park and ride experience.

Once the first site is running, the council will introduce further locations around the city.

"This initiative will operate alongside our efforts to make parking simpler and fairer, our expansion in electric vehicle charging, and our improvements to the city's walking and cycling infrastructure," said Mr Muten.

"It all adds up to a comprehensive, city-wide strategy to give our residents and visitors more options to travel sustainably."

The council says it will continue to pursue a purpose-built park and ride scheme to work alongside the service set to be launched in the summer.

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