Valley Gardens scheme - update

Grand Parade showing some of the vulnerable trees

It is good news that the 2013 plan agreed for Valley Gardens, to simplify traffic flows and create an urban park,  could now be refined to preserve 16 trees on the west side of Grand Parade and create more green space.

The original plan called for two northbound and two south bound carriageways along the east side of the Valley Gardens, but more detailed traffic studies,  including modelling of junctions on the eastern side, has now shown that ‘second lanes’ are only required for short distances  before and after junctions with traffic lights. Simplifying the road network effectively means traffic can flow more smoothly, and so less road space is required to hold traffic waiting at lights. As a result, traffic capacity can be maintained without building new roads in Victoria Gardens.

The government recently confirmed £8m of Local Growth Funding was available to enable Phases 1 and 2 of the improvements - between St Peter’s Church and the Royal Pavilion. Funding is subject to approval by the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) of a council business case, in November.

Old Steine. East.

The government also announced an additional £6m funding for Phase 3 of the scheme between the Pavilion and the Aquarium, including  improvements to the notorious Aquarium roundabout.

This part of the scheme envisages the north & south bound carriage ways being separated for some length by a line of trees. When mature these extra trees will result in a very significant improvement in the streetscape.

This phase is again subject to a business case being approved by the LEP.

Business cases have to demonstrate that government funding will unlock financial benefits in the local economy.

These options for extending green space and funding Phase 3 are contained in a report to the next environment, transport and sustainability committee on Oct.7.
Assuming approval of the business case, Phases 1 and 2 of the scheme would be built between 2015 and 2017.