Major resurfacing work on Western Road is scheduled to begin on Monday 28 September, while Brighton & Hove City Council’s Cabinet considers the next step for an experimental Red Route.
The planned work covers the busy stretch between Holland Road and Montpelier Road. The council says the resurfacing is expected to take around 45 days and will require phased road closures, with pedestrian access maintained wherever it is safe and practical.
What is being proposed?
Alongside the resurfacing, Cabinet members are being asked to approve an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for a Red Route. The proposal is designed to tackle obstructive stopping and parking, reduce congestion and make bus journeys safer and more reliable.
Western Road carries up to 700 buses a day. According to the council, daytime bus journeys between Hove and Churchill Square now take 16.7% longer than they did in 2015.
What would change for local businesses?
The proposed scheme includes ten dedicated loading bays, providing approximately 140 metres of loading space. The council says feedback from local businesses about delivery times and vehicle sizes helped shape the design.
Because the route would initially operate under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order, it could be tested for up to 18 months. During that period the council would monitor its effects, receive feedback and make changes if problems emerge before deciding whether it should become permanent.
What did the consultation find?
More than 4,700 leaflets were distributed and 1,032 responses were received during a six-week public consultation. The council reports that 50% of respondents believed safety would improve, 53% expected better bus journey times and 56% thought traffic flow would improve.
What happens next?
The update is due before Cabinet on Thursday 17 September. Residents and businesses should check the council’s travel updates before making journeys during the works, as timings and access arrangements may change.
Brighton Locals will update this article when the Cabinet decision and final traffic arrangements are confirmed.
Sources: Brighton & Hove City Council newsroom and the Cabinet agenda for 17 September 2026.
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