We are sorry to have shared misleading information given out by Council officers. We have been told repeatedly (most recently on 20 December 2022) that the diversion of 700 buses and 850 taxis along Upper North Street every 24 hours was to start on 9 January 2023. No, that was misleading information. The Western Road Brighton, Temporary Traffic Order near BN1 2AB was published on 28 December 2022 and is to come into force on 3 JANUARY 2023 for 24 months, just before schools return on 4 January 2023. You can read it on The Argus' public notice portal.

The order:

• prohibits eastbound traffic along Western Road between its junction with Montpelier Road and North Street;
• introduces no waiting at any time on the northern side of Upper North Street between property numbers 87 and 90 and between properties 102 and 105;
• removes the weight restriction on Upper North Street and Montpelier Terrace;
• introduces no waiting at any time and no loading/unloading on the eastern side of Spring Street between Hampton Street and Western Road;
• introduces Disabled Badge Holders Parking Places on the West side of Spring Street from the junction of Hampton Street southwards for a distance of 11 metres. 

So temporary has taken on a new meaning - 2 years?

Many of us have laid a formal complaint with Geoff Raw, the Chief Executive of the Council. That is the first step to involving the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman should his response be that the Council will not abort the diversion or the waiving of the 7.5T weight limit.

We have also told the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, copied to our ward councillors, the Leader of the Labour Group, the Joint Opposition Spokesperson on the Council's Environment,Transport & Sustainability Committee, the Leader of the Conservative Group, and our MP that "We shall continue to pursue every channel available to us now and in to the future to ensure that this Council does not unreasonably and substantially interfere with the enjoyment of our homes, nor injure the health of our families and ourselves."

We are continuing to fight this diversion with renewed vigour. So supporters please spread the word far and near, and get as many supporters signed up as possible. Thank you for all your efforts. We really appreciate them.